Optical characterization of MBE grown ZnSe-based QW laser heterostructures

The paper presents results of detailed optical characterization of ZnSe-bas ed quantum well (QW) laser heterostructures by resonant Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and waveguide absorption measurements, along with conventional photo luminescence (PL) and PL excitation spectroscopy. Sharp excitonic features in RRS spectra are very pronounced even in the case of weakly emitting stru ctures. A strong dependence of the RRS signal intensity on the density of l ocalized states is observed. Polarized waveguide measurements distinguish e xciton heavy and light hole transitions in a single QW at room temperature. In Be-containing lasers the measurements reveal polarized deep defect-rela ted states increasing the total waveguide losses. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.