Cadmium mercury telluride sputtering targets

A method for the preparation of substantially crack-free sputtering targets of cadmium mercury telluride of the general formula Cd.sub.x Hg.sub.1-x Te wherein x has values in the range of about 0.14 to 0.60 which comprises the steps of preparing finely divided cadmium mercury telluride of desired composition, said finely divided cadmium mercury telluride having particle sizes all less than 150 .mu., mixing the particles of the finely divided cadmium mercury telluride to obtain a substantially even particle size distribution, preheating a die of desired dimensions to a temperature in the range of about 100.degree. to 300.degree. C, adding a predetermined amount of mixed particles to said die evacuating the die to a pressure of less than about 133 Pa absolute, applying a compacting pressure to said amount for a period of time not less than about one minute to compact the finely divided cadmium mercury telluride into a coherent compact having a density of at least 97% of theoretical density, releasing the pressure and removing the compact having predetermined dimensions from the die, said predetermined amount of mixed particles being sufficient to form said compact of predetermined dimensions.