We report on the growth and structural properties of low-dimensional system
s based on HgSe. Special attention is given to HgSe: Fe quantum wires produ
ced by self-organized MBE growth on patterned substrates. Different substra
te/buffer/layer systems such as GaSb/ZnTe0.977Se0.023/HgSe, GaAs/ZnTe/HgSe,
and GaAs/ZnTexSe1-x/HgSe with x varying quasi-continuously from 0 --> 0.98
were grown and in situ controlled by RHEED and ex situ controlled by SEM a
nd HRXRD. We had to compromise between optimal strain-free interfaces and s
ubstrate properties for the projected investigation methods. The self-organ
ization takes advantage of the dependence of the growth rate on the differe
nt surface orientations resulting from the patterning process of A-type str
ipes on the {111} and {223} faces for GaAs and GaSb substrates, respectivel
y. Competitional aspects of misfit at the interface and relaxation state ha
ve to be optimized to ensure the low-dimensional character of the HgSe over
growth. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.