Optically addressing semiconductor electron-spin ensembles with tunable nuclear-spin environments

This thesis describes experiments and simulations on the coherent optical manipulation of ensembles of localized electron spins in a semiconductor host material, in the presence of nuclear spins that limit the extent to which the electrons can be controlled. It describes and demonstrates an all-optical method to stabilize the nuclear spins and enhance the dephasing time of localized spins, using the interplay of optical coherent population trapping and
dynamic nuclear polarization. It is quantified how inhomogeneities in the laser field strength throughout ensembles effect this feedback. Sample design and measurement techniques to obtain homogeneous ensembles that can be addressed by a uniform laser field are discussed and shown.