Etching behavior of PbTe and Pb1 − x Sn x Te crystal surfaces in aqueous H2O2-HBr-tartaric acid solutions

The chemical polishing of the surface of single crystals of PbTe and Pb1 − x Sn x Te solid solutions by H2O2-HBr-tartaric acid bromine-releasing etchants has been studied for the first time under reproducible hydrodynamic conditions. The dissolution rate of the crystals has been determined as a function of etchant composition, solution stirring rate, and temperature. The polished surfaces have been examined by microstructural analysis and electron microscopy. We have located the composition boundaries of solutions for the dynamic chemical polishing of the semiconductor materials studied.