Molecular beam epitaxy of diluted magnetic semiconductor (Cd1−xMnxTe) superlattices

Abstract

In this letter we report the first growth of diluted magnetic semiconductor superlattices. Bright and dark field transmission electron microscopy images confirm that the superlattices consist of distinct periodic layers of uniform composition and thickness. The photoluminescence spectra of the superlattices are found to be over three orders of magnitude more intense when compared to uniform thin films (and bulk samples) grown under similar conditions. The reason for this large increase is not clearly understood but this effect may have important consequences for future applications of these novel materials in optoelectronic devices.