The mechanical strength of single-crystal ZnSe is investigated at elevated temperatures by means of compressive deformation. The yield stress of ZnSe in the temperature range 150-300 degrees C is around 7-13 MPa, easily deformed even at low temperature. From the temperature dependence of the yield stress an activation energy for dislocation motion in the ZnSe is deduced to be 0.5-0.7 eV. The stacking fault energy is estimated to be 7-9 mJ/m(2) from the dissociation width of dislocations into partials. (c) 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.