Stable and unstable dynamics of Overhauser fields in a double quantum dot

Abstract

Nonlinear dynamics of nuclear spin ensembles driven by a two-electron system in a double quantum dot in the Pauli spin blockade (SB) regime is studied experimentally in conjunction with numerical simulation. Dynamic nuclear spin polarization (DNP) is systematically studied by evaluating the current level and its fluctuations. We interpret large current noise in the SB regime as stable feedback noise, where identical Overhauser fields of the two dots are preferred. In contrast, stepwise increases of current in the shallow Coulomb blockade region can be understood as unstable dynamics with significant imbalance of the Overhauser fields, which cancels the external magnetic field in one of the two dots. There, an extremely small transverse Overhauser field can easily lift the SB transport, giving the highest current level, when longitudinal components cancel the applied field.