Strain effects in HgTe-CdTe superlattices grown on CdTe substrates

Abstract

The effects of strain on the band structure, the band gap, and optical properties of the superlattice grown on CdTe substrates are discussed. The presence of strain modifies the band gap and optical properties of the HgTe-CdTe superlattice in a minor way. However, strain does change the band structure as compared to that in the unstrained superlattice. For wave vectors perpendicular to the layers, the top of the valence band is more light-hole-like in constrast to the unstrained case where the top of the valence band is more heavy-hole-like. For wave vectors parallel to the layers, the bands remain unchanged.