Non-linear infrared properties of InAs/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots

Abstract We have investigated various optical non-linearities in resonance with intersublevel transitions in InAs/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots. The infrared pulses were delivered by CLIO at Orsay (France) and enabled (i) the evidence of second-harmonic generation with giant susceptibilities, (ii) the first measurement of a 70 ps long polaron lifetime through noise improved pump-probed experiments and (iii) a photon echo experiment with a 15 ps long extracted dephasing time.