  A quantum kinetic theory is used to compute excitation induced dephasing in
semiconductor quantum dots due to the Coulomb interaction with a continuum of
states, such as a quantum well or a wetting layer. It is shown that a frequency
dependent broadening together with nonlinear resonance shifts are needed for a
microscopic explanation of the excitation induced dephasing in such a system,
and that excitation induced dephasing for a quantum-dot excitonic resonance is
different from quantum-well and bulk excitons.
