Relaxation and readout visibility of a singlet-triplet qubit in an Overhauser field gradient

Using single-shot charge detection in a GaAs double quantum dot, we investigate spin relaxation time (T₁) and readout visibility of a two-electron singlet-triplet qubit following single-electron dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). For magnetic fields up to 2 T, the DNP cycle is in all cases found to increase Overhauser field gradients, which in turn decrease T₁ and, consequently, reduce readout visibility. This effect was previously attributed to a suppression of singlet-triplet dephasing under a similar DNP cycle. A model describing relaxation after singlet-triplet mixing agrees well with experiment. Effects of pulse bandwidth on visibility are also investigated.