We present recent optical data obtained on isolated self-assembled InAs qua
ntum boxes (QBs) as well as strongly coupled QBs. We show that, owing to th
eir specific properties (ability to capture and localize charge carriers, a
tom-like emission under weak excitation...), InAs self-assembled QBs open u
nique opportunities for such important fields as light emission at 1.3 mu m
on GaAs substrate, light emission on Si substrate, or the generation of no
n-classical states of light using QBs in optical microcavities. (C) 1999 El
sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.