Self-assembled ZnTe quantum dot structures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs substrates with a 200 nm ZnSe buffer layer. Surface morphology was studied by atomic force microscopy. A three-dimensional Volmer-Weber growth mode was identified. Two types of dots were observed. Strong photoluminescence observed at 1.9-2.2 eV was attributed to emission from the large type II ZnTe quantum dots. Emission from the smaller ZnTe quantum dots was observed at an energy of around 2.26 eV. The density of the larger and smaller dots was approximately 10(8)/cm(2) and 10(9)/cm(2), respectively. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.