Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the characteristic color of light emitted by a Light Emitting Diode (LED) manufactured using the compound semiconductor material
Zinc Selenide (ZnSe).
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The color of light emitted by an LED is determined by the energy bandgap ($E_g$) of the semiconductor material used in its construction. The relationship between the bandgap energy and the wavelength ($\lambda$) of the emitted photon is given by:
$$E_g = \frac{hc}{\lambda}$$
Different semiconductor alloys produce different bandgap energy levels, which correspond to specific colors across the visible and infrared spectrum.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) is a wide-bandgap compound semiconductor material with a direct bandgap energy of approximately $2.7\text{ eV}$ at room temperature.
Let's find the approximate wavelength of light corresponding to this energy level:
$$\lambda = \frac{hc}{E_g} \approx \frac{1240\text{ eV}\cdot\text{nm}}{2.7\text{ eV}} \approx 460\text{ nm}$$
A emission wavelength around $460\text{ nm}$ falls within the $450\text{--}495\text{ nm}$ band of the visible spectrum, which corresponds to
blue light. Therefore, Zinc Selenide LEDs are used to generate blue light emissions, matching option (C).
Step 4: Final Answer:
An LED manufactured using zinc selenide emits blue light, corresponding to option (C).