Time-dependent growth of nuclear spin polarization under periodic optical pumping

Consecutive circularly polarized optical pulses generate and rotate electron spin polarization through optical orientation and the optical Stark effect. We perform time- and magnetic-field-dependent optical pump-probe measurements on gallium arsenide and observe a variable Overhauser field growth that depends on the external magnetic field and laser wavelength. We show that the time dependence of the nuclear spin polarization can be attributed to the time-averaged electron spin polarization produced along the external magnetic field direction.

Automated summary

Consecutive circularly polarized optical pulses generate and rotate electron spin polarization. Time- and magnetic-field-dependent optical pump-probe measurements on gallium arsenide show a variable Overhauser field growth that depends on the external magnetic field and laser wavelength. The time dependence of nuclear spin polarization can be attributed to the time-averaged electron spin polarization along the external magnetic field direction.