We present absorption measurements on free-standing ZnSe, ZnS and ZnSx
Se1-x films (d = 0.4...2 mu m) under hydrostatic pressure up to 15 GPa
. The refraction index n(lambda, P) of ZnS and ZnSe in the transparent
region up to 800 nm and the pressure shift of the E0 absorption edge
of ZnSe and some ZnSxSe1-x-compositions was investigated at 293 K. At
2 K free exciton states near the E(0)- and E(0) + Delta(0)-gap are vis
ible in absorption. Increase in the Rydberg energy under pressure was
found, which is explained with k . p-theory in the framework of the hy
drogen model.