The synthesis of CdTe in a Bridgman furnace, under determined vapor pressure of cadmium, and its purification by the vertical zone melting technique is described. The influence of the thermodynamic state of the crystals after synthesis on the conductivity type of the zone‐melted purified material is shown. Purity, homogeneity, and compensation of the material, as determined by electrical measurements, photoluminescence, and spectrographic trace analysis, are presented and discussed.