Continuous-wave (CW) operated laser is a key component for photonic chips. It has been highly desired to develop low-threshold, high-efficiency, long-term operational, low-cost and easily integratable CW laser. As excellent optical gain materials, quantum dots (QDs) have been intensively investigated for on-chip CW lasers owing to their high photoluminescence quantum yields, tunable emission wavelengths and easy integration. Base on the difference of preparation processes, QDs can be classified into epitaxial QDs and solution- processed colloidal QDs (CQDs). In this mini-review, we summarize the research progresses of epitaxial III–V semiconductor QD and solution-processed CQD-based CW lasers. The challenges associated with the realization of CQD CW lasers are discussed in detail. In particular, the emerging perovskite-based CW lasers are highlighted. Finally, a short perspective of QD-based CW lasers is presented.

连续波（CW）操作的激光器是光子芯片的关键组件。迫切需要开发低阈值，高效率，长期可操作，低成本且易于集成的连续波激光器。作为出色的光学增益材料，由于片上连续波激光器具有很高的光致发光量子产率，可调节的发射波长和易于集成，因此已经对其量子点（QD）进行了深入研究。根据制备工艺的不同，QD可以分为外延QD和溶液处理的胶体QD（CQD）。在本微型审查中，我们总结了外延III–V半导体QD和溶液处理的基于CQD的CW激光器的研究进展。详细讨论了与CQD CW激光器的实现相关的挑战。尤其是，突出显示了基于钙钛矿的连续波激光器。最后，简要介绍了基于量子点的连续波激光器。