Mechanically Controlled Quantum Interference in Graphene Break Junctions

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates room-temperature quantum interference effects in graphene nanoconstrictions, showing conductance oscillations modulated by sub-nanometer displacements, revealing Fabry-Pérot-like electron wave interference.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental observation of quantum interference in graphene break junctions, highlighting the role of lattice-commensuration effects in conductance oscillations.

Findings

Pronounced conductance oscillations at room temperature

Oscillation amplitude modulates over an order of magnitude

Periodicity larger than the graphene lattice constant

Abstract

The ability to detect and distinguish quantum interference signatures is important for both fundamental research and for the realization of devices including electron resonators, interferometers and interference-based spin filters. Consistent with the principles of subwavelength optics, the wave nature of electrons can give rise to various types of interference effects, such as Fabry-P\'erot resonances, Fano resonances and the Aharonov-Bohm effect. Quantum-interference conductance oscillations have indeed been predicted for multiwall carbon nanotube shuttles and telescopes, and arise from atomic-scale displacements between the inner and outer tubes. Previous theoretical work on graphene bilayers indicates that these systems may display similar interference features as a function of the relative position of the two sheets. Experimental verification is, however, still lacking. Graphene nanoconstrictions represent an ideal model system to study quantum transport phenomena due to the electronic coherence and the transverse confinement of the carriers. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of bowtie-shaped nanoconstrictions with mechanically controlled break junctions (MCBJs) made from a single layer of graphene. We find that their electrical conductance displays pronounced oscillations at room temperature, with amplitudes that modulate over an order of magnitude as a function of sub-nanometer displacements. Surprisingly, the oscillations exhibit a period larger than the graphene lattice constant. Charge-transport calculations show that the periodicity originates from a combination of quantum-interference and lattice-commensuration effects of two graphene layers that slide across each other. Our results provide direct experimental observation of Fabry-P\'erot-like interference of electron waves that are partially reflected/transmitted at the edges of the graphene bilayer overlap region.