Orientation relations between zincblende-, cinnabar- and NaCl-type phases of CdTe under high pressure

The transition mechanisms of the pressure-induced phase transformations in CdTe below 4 GPa were studied with the aid of X-ray diffraction techniques. Distinct orientation relations between the zincblende-, the cinnabar- and the NaCl-type phase were observed. Some of the threefold axes of all three phases are oriented parallel to one another. In order to explain the results, three different transition pathways are discussed.