InAs self-organized quantum dots inserted in InGaAs quantum well have been grown on GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. The lateral size of the InAs islands has been found to be approximately 1.5 times larger as compared to the InAs/GaAs case, whereas the island heights and surface densities were close in both cases. The quantum dot emission wavelength can be controllably changed from 1.1 to 1.3 μm by varying the composition of the InGaAs quantum well matrix. Photoluminescence at 1.33 μm from vertical optical microcavities containing the InAs/InGaAs quantum dot array was demonstrated.

Annealing at higher temperature (700 °C) of structures with two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional arrays in InAs–GaAs quantum dots (QDs) results in an increase in the size and in a corresponding decrease in the indium composition of the QDs. The change in the In composition is monitored by the contrast pattern in the plan‐view transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images viewed under the strong beam imaging conditions. Increase in the size of the QDs is manifested by the plan‐view TEM images taken under [001] zone axis illumination as well as by the cross‐section TEM images. We show that the dots maintain their geometrical shape upon annealing. Luminescence spectra demonstrate a shift of the QD luminescence peak toward higher energies with an increase in the annealing time (10–60 min) in agreement with the decrease in indium composition revealed in TEM studies. The corresponding decrease in the QD localization energy results in an effective evaporation of carriers from QDs at room temperature, and the intensity of the QD luminescence decreases, and the intensity of the wetting layer and the GaAs matrix luminescence increase with the increase in the annealing time.

Quantum dots (QDs) formed on GaAs(100) substrates by InAs deposition followed by (Al,Ga)As or (In,Ga,Al)As overgrowth demonstrate a photoluminescence (PL) peak that is redshifted (up to 1.3 μm) compared to PL emission of GaAs-covered QDs. The result is attributed to redistribution of InAs molecules in the system in favor of the QDs, stimulated by Al atoms in the cap layer. The deposition of a 1 nm thick AlAs cover layer on top of the InAs–GaAs QDs results in replacement of InAs molecules of the wetting layer by AlAs molecules, leading to a significant increase in the heights of the InAs QDs, as follows from transmission electron microscopy. This effect is directly confirmed by transmission electron microscopy indicating a transition to a Volmer–Weber-like QD arrangement. We demonstrate an injection laser based on this kind of QDs.

We demonstrate the possibility of extending the spectral range of luminescence due to InAs quantum dots (QDs) in a GaAs matrix up to 1.7 μm. Realization of such a long wavelength emission is related to formation of lateral associations of QDs during InAs deposition at low substrate temperatures (∼320–400 °C).