Influence of quantum-confined device fabrication on semiconductor-laser theory

Among Professor Arthur Gossard’s many contributions to crystal growth are those resulting in important improvements in the quality and performance of quantum-well and quantum-dot semiconductor lasers. In celebration of his 85th birthday, we review the development of a semiconductor laser theory that is motivated and guided, in part, by those advances. This theory combines condensed matter theory and laser physics to provide understanding at a microscopic level, i.e., in terms of electrons and holes, and their interaction with the radiation field while influenced by the lattice.