High quality self-assembled InGaAs quantum dots have been formed on GaAs by
molecular beam epitaxy via Stranski-Krastonov growth mode, and have been e
mployed to produce quantum dot lasers with reasonably good properties. The
effects of growth conditions, substrate misorientation, and doping in quant
um dots on the characteristics of quantum dots and quantum dot lasers are p
resented. It has been shown that higher density of quantum dots is obtained
under higher As flux because the diffusion length of Ga adatoms is reduced
. Higher degree of substrate misorientation also leads to higher density of
quantum dots since the kinks on the surface have similar effect on the dif
fusion of cations. It is also found that doping in the quantum dots plays a
n important role in the performance of quantum dot lasers. Room temperature
continuous wave operation has been achieved on Be-doped quantum dot lasers
. Under pulse operation, characteristic temperature as high as 121 K betwee
n 20 and 70 degrees C has been obtained. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All
rights reserved.