Optically induced coherence effects in `artificial atoms and molecules'

Using a master-equation approach for the description of coherent and incoherent dynamics in `artificial atoms and molecules', we present a theoretical analysis of situations where intense laser fields lead to pronounced renormalizations of carrier states. Such enhanced light-matter interactions allow for the solid-state implementation of effects hitherto only observable in atomic systems. Two prototypical examples will be presented: first, we show how two intense laser pulses can be exploited for a robust and high-fidelity population transfer of carrier states in coupled quantum dots; second, we discuss the possibility of observing self-induced transparency in a sample of inhomogenously broadened quantum dots, a phenomenon where intense laser pulses propagate without suffering significant losses.