Abstract:
Stimulated emission from AlxGa1–xSb solid solutions, excited by an electron beam and cooled with liquid nitrogen, was observed for the first time. This emission was observed throughout the direct-gap range of compositions and the emission wavelength was within the range 1.1–1.6 μ. The dependence of the forbidden-band width Eg on the solid-solution composition x was determined and the point of transition from the direct- to the indirect-gap structure was found (xc ≈ 0.25, Egc ≈ 1.145 eV). A discrepancy between the experimental results and a graphical determination of the dependence Eg(x) was due to the influence of donor levels (Ed ≈ 20 meV) below the indirect L minimum. The parameters of a sealed electron-beam-pumped laser made of such a material were determined.