Optical properties of self-organized quantum dots: Modeling and experiments

The optical and electronic properties of self-organized quantum dots (QDs) are of decisive importance for the performance of laser diodes with such QD s as the active medium. Of primary interest is the gain with regard to its spectral position, width, magnitude, and temporal behavior. We survey the m utually stimulating advances in the theoretical understanding of QD gain an d the performance of QD lasers. Emphasis is put on the temperature dependen ce of the carrier distribution function.