Cathodoluminescence of epitaxial Pb1–xSnxTe films with a composition gradient in the growth plane

Resublimation in a hydrogen stream produced epitaxial Pb_1–xSn_xTe films of constant composition as well as with a composition gradient in the growth plane. The integrated intensity of the cathodoluminescence was comparable with the intensity of the luminescence emitted by lead tin tellunde of compositions in the range x = 0–0.5 mole SnTe. The optimal growth temperature was 780–790°C when the temperature drop between the source and the substrate was about 10°C. The wavelength of the cathodoluminescence emitted at 90°K varied from 5 to 15 μ along the composition gradient.