We report an investigation of the optical absorption spectrum, using non-polarized light, in Pb xEu1-xTe, x=0 and x=0.095, epitaxial thick layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The absorption edge is described by a broad band, due to the electronic transitions from the 4f7 of Eu2+ to the states in 4f6 5d configuration, as seen previously in bulk Eu chalcogenides. When a magnetic field is applied, a narrow absorption band (full width ~50 meV) emerges from the broad one. The energy of this absorption peak red shifts when the magnetic field increases, and reaches saturation when the Eu2+ attain ferromagnetic arrangement. This behaviour can be described by a localized excitation model with d - f exchange interaction.

The interfaces in InP=In0.53 Ga0.47As superlattices modulation doped with Si were investigated using magneto-transport, capacitance-voltage, and high resolution X-ray diffraction measurements. Results indicate that a thick interfacial layer is formed when InP is grown on top of In xGa1-xAs, and that Si atoms that fall in the interfacial layer have a high probability of not forming a shallow donor center. Using a simple theoretical model the width of the interfacial layer which was estimated to be 7±1 monolayers.