Controlling nuclear spin memories through optical driving of electron spins in quantum dots*

Nuclear spins in quantum dots have been proposed as quantum memories for quantum network applications. This requires understanding and controlling the buildup of dynamic nuclear spin polarization through electron spin driving and hyperfine interactions. Here we study the impact of quadrupolar interactions on the generation of polarization and their interplay with hyperfine flip-flop processes when the electronic spin is driven with a periodic train of optical pulses. We also examine the role of spin-spin entanglement in the generation of nuclear spin polarization.