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

Abstract

In this contribution, the recent development of cavity-quantum electro- dynamics experiments in all semiconductor microcavities using self-assembled quan- tum 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 collection of dots as well as single dots. This effect permits to achieve a regime of "nearly" singlemode spontaneous emission and is the key for the efficient operation of the first solid-state singlemode 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 performances of single QD lasers are also discussed.