The nonlinear optical properties of CdSe quantum dots are investigated
using self-saturation and degenerate four-wave mixing techniques. The
saturation of the room temperature absorption coefficient, for a wave
length in the vicinity of the first exciton peak, is measured. The mea
sured data can be predicted from a description of the quantum dot as a
two level, homogeneously broadened, saturating system. The variation
of the four-wave mixing reflectivity with intensity and with wavelengt
h is reported. All four-wave mixing data are also consistent with the
homogeneously-broadened two-level model.