  We provide a self-contained review of master equation approaches to modelling
phonon effects in optically driven self-assembled quantum dots. Coupling of the
(quasi) two-level excitonic system to phonons leads to dissipation and
dephasing, the rates of which depend on the excitation conditions, intrinsic
properties of the QD sample, and its temperature. We describe several
techniques, which include weak-coupling master equations that are perturbative
in the exciton-phonon coupling, as well as those based on the polaron
transformation that can remain valid for strong phonon interactions. We
additionally consider the role of phonons in altering the optical emission
characteristics of quantum dot devices, outlining how we must modify standard
quantum optics treatments to account for the presence of the solid-state
environment.
