The refractive index of the ternary compounds CdxZn1-xTe and HgxZn1-xTe

Theoretical results for the refractive index
n
of the ternary compounds Cd
x
Zn
1-x
Te and Hg
x
Zn
1-x
Te below the fundamental absorption edge are calculated as a function of photon energy and the mole fraction
x
. The theoretical result for
n
is obtained from a quantum mechanical calculation of the dielectric constant of a compound semiconductors. It is given in terms of basic material parameters only, with no adjustable constants. The reduction of the refractive index at the absorption edge as one increases
x
for Cd
x
Zn
1-x
Te and for Hg
x
Zn
1-x
Te as one decreases
x
is noticeable.