Polaron couplings in quantum dot molecules

We report on the calculation of polaron energies in InAs quantum dot molecules. Polaron effects are larger in vertical than in lateral molecules. The far-infrared absorption associated with molecular polaron transitions is calculated. It may show prominent lines associated with inter-dot polaron transitions. We have also calculated the polaron relaxation time to thermodynamical equilibrium when its lifetime is limited by the decay of its phonon component due to crystal anharmonicity.