Tuning of polarisation sensitivity in closely-stacked trilayer InAs/GaAs quantum dots induced by overgrowth dynamics

Abstract: Tailoring electronic and optical properties of self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) is a critical limit for the design of several QD-based optoelectronic devices operating in the telecom frequency range. We describe how a fine control of the strain-induced surface kinetics during the growth of vertically-stacked multiple layers of QDs allow to engineer their self organization process. Most noticeably, the present study shows that the underlying strain field induced along a QD stack can be modulated and controlled by time-dependent intermixing and segregation effects occurring after capping with GaAs spacer. This leads to a drastic increase of TM/TE polarization ratio of emitted light, not accessible from the conventional growth parameters. Our detailed experimental measurements supported by comprehensive multi-million atom simulations of strain, electronic, and optical properties, provide in-depth analysis of the grown QD samples leading us to depict a clear picture on atomic scale phenomena affecting the proposed growth dynamics and consequent QD polarization response.