Properties of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) in ZnSe whose formation was induced by depositing and desorbing amorphous Se are studied. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were performed on CdSe films of different thicknesses. It was found that the QDs tend to align along a crystal axis and present a strong anisotropy. Microphotoluminescence measurements on capped samples reveal a strong and narrow emission around 520 nm with distinguishable individual spectral lines emitted from few QDs. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.