Continuous Absorption Background and Decoherence in Quantum Dots

We consider theoretically the role of crossed transitions on the interband optical properties of quantum dots. These transitions, which involve one bound state and one delocalized state, are inherent to the joint nature of the valence-to-conduction density of states in quantum dots. We show that they play a crucial role both on the interband absorption and on the broadening of the quantum dot lines.