We investigate strain-free GaAs quantum dots (QDs) fabricated by filling of nanoholes in semiconductor surfaces. The nanoholes are created in a self-organized fashion by local droplet etching with Al droplets as etchants. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrates that the quantum dots are free of extended defects. Elemental mapping using local electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) shows that the walls surrounding the nanohole openings consist of AlAs. This result confirms that the walls are optically inactive. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.