Long-wavelength IR spectroscopy of ZnTe/CdTe superlattices with quantum dots

Abstract

This paper reports on the results of investigations of the lattice IR reflection spectra of ZnTe/CdTe multilayer superlattices with CdTe quantum dots grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on a GaAs substrate with a CdTe buffer layer. It is found that the lattice IR reflection spectra of the studied structures exhibit three intense bands associated with vibrational excitations in the GaAs substrate, ZnTe barriers separating the layers with CdTe quantum dots, and the CdTe buffer layer. An analysis of the reflection bands and shifts in the phonon frequencies has revealed internal elastic stresses both in the surface layer of the GaAs substrate and in the ZnTe barriers. It is established that elastic stresses undergo relaxation in the separating ZnTe layers with an increase in their thickness. An additional mode observed in the reflection spectra is explained by manifestations of ZnTe-like vibrations in the ZnCdTe alloy due to interdiffusion of Cd and Zn at the interfaces.