Aharonov-Bohm interference and phase-coherent surface-state transport in topological insulator rings

RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen)

Abstract

We present low-temperature magnetotransport measurements on selectively-grown Sb$_2$Te$_3$-based topological insulator ring structures. These topological insulator ring geometries display clear Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in the conductance originating from phase-coherent transport around the ring. The temperature dependence of the oscillation amplitude indicates that the Aharonov-Bohm oscillations originate from ballistic transport along the ring arms. The oscillations can therefore be attributed to topological surface states, which can maintain a quasi-ballistic transport regime in the presence of disorder. Further insight on the phase coherence is gained by comparing with similar Aharonov-Bohm-type oscillations in topological insulator nanoribbons exposed to an axial magnetic field. Here, quasi-ballistic phase-coherent transport is confirmed for closed-loop topological surface states in transverse direction enclosing the cross-section of the nanoribbon. In contrast, the appearance of universal conductance fluctuations indicates phase-coherent transport in the diffuse regime, which is attributed to bulk carrier transport. Thus, it appears that even in the presence of diffusive $p$-type charge carriers in Aharonov-Bohm ring structures, phase-coherent quasi-ballistic transport of topologically protected surface states is maintained over long distances.

Authors 11

1. Gerrit Behner Aachen JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology , Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance , Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University , Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-9) , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52425 Jülich , Germany

2. Abdur Rehman Jalil Aachen JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology , Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance , Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University , Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-9) , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52425 Jülich , Germany

3. Dennis Heffels Aachen JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology , Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance , Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University , Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-9) , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52425 Jülich , Germany

4. Jonas Kölzer
5. Kristof Moors Aachen JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology , Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance , Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University , Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-9) , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52425 Jülich , Germany

6. Jonas Mertens Aachen JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology , Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance , Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University , Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-9) , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52425 Jülich , Germany

7. Gregor Mußler Aachen JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Jülich Aachen Research Alliance · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   JARA-Fundamentals of Future Information Technology , Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance , Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University , Germany

   Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-9) , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52425 Jülich , Germany

8. Peter Schüffelgen
9. Hans Luth
10. Detlev Grützmacher
11. Thomas Schäpers