Dynamic nuclear self-polarization with circularly polarized light

Koizumi, Mitsuo ; Goto, Jun*; Matsuki, Seishi*

Lattice nuclei of III-V type semiconductors can be self-polarized through the contact hyperfine interaction with optically excited electrons on the conduction band at low temperatures. The effect of electrons excited with circularly polarized light is introduced to the theoretical prediction of self-polarization. We found that the degree of nuclear polarization is enhanced in comparison with the use of un-polarized light. The direction of the nuclear polarization is controlled by the orientation of the electron polarization. A hysteresis phenomenon appears in the nuclear polarization when varying the degree of electron polarization.