We show how resonant laser spectroscopy of the trion optical transitions in a self-assembled quantum dot can be used to determine the temperature of a nearby electron reservoir. At finite magnetic field the spin-state occupation of the Zeeman-split quantum dot electron ground states is governed by thermalization with the electron reservoir via co-tunneling. With resonant spectroscopy of the corresponding excited trion states we map out the spin occupation as a function of magnetic field to establish optical thermometry for the electron reservoir. We demonstrate the implementation of the technique in the sub-Kelvin temperature range where it is most sensitive, and where the electron temperature is not necessarily given by the cryostat base temperature.

We used resonant laser spectroscopy of multiple InGaAs quantum dots to spatially locate charge fluctuators in the surrounding semiconductor matrix. By mapping out the resonance condition between a narrow-band laser and the neutral exciton transitions of individual dots in a field effect device, we identified spectral discontinuities as arising from charging and discharging events that take place within the volume adjacent to the quantum dots. Our analysis suggests that residual carbon dopants are a major source of charge-fluctuating traps in quantum dot heterostructures.