The use of a selenium-tellurium (SeTe) mixed source in the isothermal close space sublimation growth of CdSe epilayers is considered. The epitaxial growth was performed in flowing helium by sequential exposures of the substrate to vapors of the mixed SeTe source and elemental cadmium at temperatures within 350-410 degrees C. In spite of the mixed source (proposed to decrease the partial pressure of Se), tellurium incorporation was small and CdSexTe(1-x) (x similar to 0.98) epilayers were obtained. X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping shows the existence of hexagonal inclusions mainly on the (1 1 1) facets of the cubic phase. Material deposition on areas of the graphite crucible exposed to the sources, contamination of the Cd source and large growth rates suggest the existence of a selenium transport process via graphite. This transport might be the result of the combination of selenium deposition on graphite with a subsequent activated desorption of selenium under cadmium exposure. It affects Cd source purity and growth kinetic bringing on a modification of the usual atomic layer deposition regimen; however, a reproducible growth rate of the epilayers was obtained. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.