Steady state optical gain in small semiconductor quantum dots

The optical gain phenomena in a single semiconductor quantum dot as well as in an inhomogeneous distribution of quantum dots have been studied. The analytical results obtained using the density matrix technique and numerical analysis for CdS quantum dots show an enhancement of gain in the presence of biexcitons. The numerical results show larger gain in bigger quantum dots. A redshift of gain maxima occurs when the distribution width is large. The realization of high gain quantum dot lasers and photodetectors appears to be a distinct possibility. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.