  We use realistic pseudopotentials and a plane-wave basis to study the
electronic structure of non-periodic, three-dimensional, 2000-atom
(AlAs)_n/(GaAs)_m (001) superlattices, where the individual layer thicknesses
n,m = {1,2,3} are randomly selected. We find that while the band gap of the
equivalent (n = m = 2) ordered superlattice is indirect, random fluctuations in
layer thicknesses lead to a direct gap in the planar Brillouin zone, strong
wavefunction localization along the growth direction, short radiative
lifetimes, and a significant band-gap reduction, in agreement with experiments
on such intentionally grown disordered superlattices.
