Single crystals of ZnSe1–xTex, Zn1–xCdxSe, and ZnxCd1–xS solid solutions for electron-beam-pumped lasers

Single-crystal ingots of ZnSe_1–xTe_x, (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.03), Zn_1–xCd_xSe (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15), and Zn_xCd_1–xS (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.35) with diameters up to 50 mm and height up to 20 mm were prepared from the vapor phase. Investigations were made of the cathodoluminescence emitted by these crystals and of the characteristics of the lasers made from them and subjected to longitudinal pumping with an electron beam. In contrast to the two other systems, single crystals of ZnSe_1–xTe_x were unsuitable for semiconductor lasers emitting in the dark blue range because deep levels appeared in the band gap at low Te concentrations.