Band discontinuities in ZnMgSeÕZnCdSe 001 lattice-matched heterostructures

We present experimental and theoretical studies of lattice-matched interfaces between Zn1-yMgySe and Zn1-xCdxSe wide-band gap semiconductors. Ab initio pseudopotential calculations predict lattice matching for y/x~1.6 and a valence band contribution to the band gap difference Qv decreasing gradually from 0.34 to 0.27 with increasing x and y. Experimental x-ray diffraction and photoemission spectroscopy results are mostly consistent with such predictions, although non-negligible deviations of the band offsets from commutativity were observed for selected alloy compositions.