II-VI low-dimensional structures promise the advent of a new era of so
lid state optoelectronics in the visible spectral region. We review th
e growth and optical characterisation of binary strained layer superla
ttices of the Zn(Cd)S(Se) family with particular emphasis on growth by
metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy, and characterisation using steady-
state and time-resolved photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence.