EN
The effects of large deformation were studied by preparing thin (20-30 μm) membranes with quantum-well layers on top. A small gas pressure of a few bar deforms the membrane substantially and changes the optical spectra of the quantum wells. We present the results of the photoluminescence and absorption from GaAs/AlGaAs and from InGaAs/GaAs quantum wells subjected to tensile and to compressive biaxial strain. The light-hole lines shift more than two times faster than the heavy-hole lines so that they cross under tensile strain.