InAs quantum dots:: artificial atoms for solid-state quantum optics

Since around 1994 numerous experiments on isolated quantum dots have shown that these nanostructures can be considered to some extent as 'artificial atoms'. As such, quantum dots can be used to reproduce in solid-state systems quantum optics experiments originally performed on single atoms in the 80's. We will discuss in this review paper two main aspects: (1) the generation of quantum states of light; (2) quantum dots spontaneous emission tailoring in optical microcavities. Besides their fundamental interest, these experiments open the way to the development of a novel class of optoelectronic devices using a single QD as active medium. We review the recent development of the first single-mode single photon source, which is based on a single QD in a pillar microcavity and discuss the potential applications of this source in the field of quantum information processing and quantum communications, with an emphasis on the main requirements in terms of source performance.