Control of spin dynamics with laser pulses: Generation of entangled states of donor-bound electrons in a Cd_1−xMn_xTe quantum well

A quantum-mechanical many-particle system may exhibit nonlocal behavior in that measurements performed on one of the particles can affect a second one that is far apart. These so-called entangled states are crucial for the implementation of quantum information protocols and gates for quantum computation. Here, we use ultrafast optical pulses and coherent pump-probe techniques to create and control spin entangled states in an ensemble of up to three non-interacting electrons bound to donors in a Cd_1−xMn_xTe quantum well. Our method, relying on the exchange interaction between optically excited excitons and the paramagnetic impurities, can in principle be applied to entangle an arbitrarily large number of electrons. A microscopic theory of impulsive stimulated Raman scattering and a model for multi-spin entanglement are presented. The signature of entanglement is the observation of overtones of donor spin-flips in the differential reflectivity of the probe pulse. Results are shown for resonant excitation of localized excitons below the gap, and above the gap where the signatures of entanglement are significantly enhanced. Data is also presented on the generation of coherent excitations of antiferromagnetically coupled manganese pairs, folded acoustic phonons, exciton Zeeman beats and entanglement involving two Mn⁺² ions.