The nonlinear optical rectification of a confined exciton in a quantum dot

► The magnitude of the nonlinear optical rectification of the excitons confined in a disc-like quantum dot may reach 10−2 m/V. It is much higher than that of the other low-dimensional semiconductors, e.g., quantum wells, and one-dimensional semiparabolic quantum dots. ► The nonlinear optical rectification of the excitons confined in a disc-like quantum dot is strongly dependent on the confinement frequency. In order to obtain the larger optical rectification coefficients in quantum dots, we can change the confinement frequency. ► The calculated results also reveal that an applied electric field has a great influence on the nonlinear optical rectification susceptibility. In order to obtain the larger optical rectification coefficients in quantum dots we can induce the electric field.