Solid-State Cavity-Quantum Electrodynamics with Self-Assembled Quantum Dots

Abstract

In this contribution, the recent development of cavity-quantum electrodynamics experiments in all semiconductor microcavities using self-assembled quantum dots as ‘‘artificial atoms’’ is reviewed. In the weak coupling regime, a strong enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate (Purcell effect) can be observed for collections of dots as well as single dots. This effect permits us to achieve a regime of ‘‘nearly’’ single-mode spontaneous emission and is the key for the efficient operation of the first solid-state single-mode single-photon source, which is based on a single quantum dot in a pillar microcavity. Several major issues for future work, such as the quest for a strong coupling regime for single quantum dots in cavities and the feasibility and performance of single QD lasers are also discussed.