  When a detuned and strong laser pulse acts on an optical transition, a Stark
shift of the corresponding energies occurs. We analyze how this optical Stark
effect can be used to prepare and control the dark exciton occupation in a
semiconductor quantum dot. The coupling between the bright and dark exciton
states is facilitated by an external magnetic field. Using sequences of laser
pulses, we show how the dark exciton and different superposition states can be
prepared. We give simple analytic formulas, which yield a good estimate for
optimal preparation parameters. The preparation scheme is quite robust against
the influence of acoustic phonons. We further discuss the experimental
feasibility of the used Stark pulses. Giving a clear physical picture our
results will stimulate the usage of dark excitons in schemes to generate
photons from quantum dots.
