Optical response of non-spherical quantum dots

Quantum confinement in anisotropic nanostructures has been studied within the effective-mass approximation. The calculation of the optical properties of elongated quantum dots is presented, showing the possibility of an anisotropic optical response depending on the dot geometry. The role of the radiation polarisation in the emission and absorption processes is pointed out. This can become quite relevant because the controlled fabrication of non-spherical quantum dots with variable aspect ratio is now available.