Narrow-gap II-VI superlattices: correlation of theory with experiment

The present understanding of band edge and free carrier properties in Hg-based superlattices such as HgTe-CdTe is reviewed. The authors emphasise the relation between distinctive aspects of the superlattice band structures obtained theoretically and corresponding features in the magneto-transport, magneto-optical and optical data. Theory predicts a high sensitivity of the free carrier properties to the magnitude of the valence band offset. One finds that nearly all of the main experimental results (excepting low-temperature negative differential resistance) are qualitatively consistent with a large offset, but are difficult to explain if the offset is small. The valence band offset controversy thus appears to have been largely resolved.