Optically-induced magnetization of CdMnTe self-assembled quantum dots

We demonstrate that resonant excitation of CdMnTe self-assembled quantum dots creates an ensemble of spin-polarized magnetic polarons at B=0 T. The strong spatial confinement characteristic of quantum dots significantly increases the stability of magnetic polarons so that the optically-induced spin alignment is observed for temperatures >120 K. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.