Pumping of quantum dots with surface acoustic waves

Surface acoustic waves on a semiconductor quantum well structure are accomp anied by strong lateral piezo-electric fields. Those fields can ionize phot o-generated excitons and trap the fragments, electron-hole pairs, in the mo ving lateral potential wells to tile wave. We show that self-assembled quan tum dots present in the structure can act as very efficient recombination c enters and demonstrate the concept of a periodically pumped quantum dot.