  We demonstrate the ability to control quantum coherent Rabi-oscillations in a
room-temperature quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) by shaping
the light pulses that trigger them. The experiments described here show that
when the excitation is resonant with the short wavelength slope of the SOA gain
spectrum, a linear frequency chirp affects its ability to trigger
Rabi-oscillations within the SOA: A negative chirp inhibits Rabi-oscillations
whereas a positive chirp can enhance them, relative to the interaction of a
transform limited pulse. The experiments are confirmed by a numerical
calculation that models the propagation of the experimentally shaped pulses
through the SOA.
