Shielding of external magnetic field by dynamic nuclear polarization in (In,Ga)As quantum dots

The dynamics of the coupled electron-nuclear spin system is studied in an ensemble of singly charged (In,Ga)As/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) using periodic optical excitation at 1 GHz repetition rate. In combination with the electron-nuclei interaction, the highly repetitive excitation allows us to lock the electron spins into magnetic resonance in a transverse external magnetic field. Sweeping the field to higher values, the locking leads to an effective diamagnetic response of significant strength due to dynamic nuclear polarization, which shields the QD electrons at least partly from the external field and can even keep the internal magnetic field constant up to 1.3 T field variation. We model the effect through a magnetic field-dependent polarization rate of the nuclei, from which we suggest a strategy for adjusting the nuclear polarization through the detuning between optical excitation and electronic transition, in addition to tuning the magnetic field.

Automated summary

The dynamics of the coupled electron-nuclear spin system in (In,Ga)As/GaAs quantum dots is studied through periodic optical excitation, resulting in dynamic nuclear polarization that shields the QD electrons from external magnetic fields. By modeling the effect using a magnetic field-dependent polarization rate, a strategy for adjusting the nuclear polarization is proposed through detuning between optical excitation and electronic transition in addition to tuning the magnetic field.