Optical spectroscopy of self-assembled quantum dots

Self-assembled quantum dots provide high optical quality structures suitable for electro-optical device applications and the study of physics in a zero-dimensional semiconductor system. In this article we describe a number of optical spectroscopic studies of In(Ga)As self-assembled quantum dots grown in a GaAs matrix. Studies of both single, clots and large dot ensembles are discussed. We demonstrate that it is possible to obtain information concerning the confined electronic states, carrier transport processes and the physical structure of the dots. In addition the influences of Coulomb and exchange interactions between multiple carriers confined within a dot are studied.