Dark pulse formation and carrier dynamics in quantum dot lasers

Summary form only given. The large differential gain of semiconductor lasers based on self-assembled quantum dots makes these devices attractive for high speed applications. In addition it is expected that quantum dot optical amplifiers will present advantages for WDM systems. The performance of these devices is controlled by the coupled dynamics of photons and carriers. To probe the coupled dynamics in these devices, we have performed pulse propagation and pump-probe experiments on InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) waveguides and laser diodes.