Detuning-dependent narrowing of Mollow triplet lines of driven quantum dots

Abstract: We study the two-time correlation function and the resonance fluorescence spectrum of a semiconductor quantum dot excited by a strong off-resonant laser pulse. The obtained analytical expressions exhibit a specific detuning-dependent damping of Rabi oscillations of the dressed quantum dot as well as a detuning-dependent width of Mollow-triplet lines. In the absence of pure dephasing, the central peak of the triplet is broadened, upon increasing detuning, but the blue and red side peaks are narrowed. We demonstrate that pure dephasing processes can invert these dependences. A crossover between the regimes of detuning-dependent narrowing and broadening of the side and central peaks is identified. The predicted effects are consistent with resent experimental results and numerical calculations.