Long-range interaction of self-assembled quantum dots via interface light

Self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) give rise to the interface light field guided by a wetting layer. The interface light is evanescent, i.e. is localized in the z direction and is invisible at macroscopic distances from the QD plane. However, the interface photons which are travelling in the in-plane direction, can couple widely separated QDs, and, therefore, contribute to the total optics of self-assembled QDs in a ‘hidden’ way. The main aim of our report is to develop theoretically the interface, quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) optics of self-assembled QDs. In particular, classification of the interface light associated with self-organized QDs is given in terms of X-, Y-, and Z-modes. We also estimate how the light emitted by QDs splits between the bulk and interface modes, discuss the efficiency of long-range interdot communication via interface photons, and propose an enhancement of the evanescent light field by a specially designed co-planar microcavity.