Phase shifts and phase $\pi$-jumps in four-terminal waveguide Aharonov-Bohm interferometers

TL;DR

This study investigates the phase behavior of electrons in a four-terminal Aharonov-Bohm interferometer, revealing how measurement setup influences phase shifts and jumps, supported by experimental data and theoretical modeling.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive experimental and theoretical analysis of phase evolution and jumps in a four-terminal AB ring, highlighting the impact of measurement configuration and scattering effects.

Findings

Non-local setup shows continuous phase shifts

Local voltage-probe setup exhibits phase rigidity

Abrupt phase jumps of π occur due to scattering

Abstract

Quantum coherent properties of electrons can be studied in Aharonov-Bohm (AB) interferometers. We investigate both experimentally and theoretically the transmission phase evolution in a four-terminal quasi-one-dimensional AlGaAs/GaAs-based waveguide AB ring. As main control parameter besides the magnetic field, we tune the Fermi wave number along the pathways using a top-gate. Our experimental results and theoretical calculations demonstrate the strong influence of the measurement configuration upon the AB-resistance-oscillation phase in a four-terminal device. While the non-local setup displays continuous phase shifts of the AB oscillations, the phase remains rigid in the local voltage-probe setup. Abrupt phase jumps are found in all measurement configurations. We analyze the phase shifts as functions of the magnetic field and the Fermi energy and provide a detailed theoretical model of the device. Scattering and reflections in the arms of the ring are the source of abrupt phase jumps by $\pi$.