Observation of quantum interference conductance fluctuations in metal rings with strong spin-orbit coupling

TL;DR

This study demonstrates quantum interference conductance fluctuations in platinum nanostructures with strong spin-orbit coupling, revealing both Aharonov-Bohm oscillations and aperiodic conductance fluctuations at very low temperatures.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of quantum interference effects in platinum nanostructures despite strong spin-orbit interactions, highlighting the coexistence of different conductance oscillations.

Findings

Observation of quantum interference conductance fluctuations

Decomposition into Aharonov-Bohm and aperiodic oscillations

Interplay between electron coherence and spin effects

Abstract

We investigated the magnetotransport properties of mesoscopic platinum nanostructures (wires and rings) with sub-100 nm lateral dimensions at very low temperatures. Despite the strong spin-orbit interaction in platinum, oscillations of the conductance as a function of the external magnetic field due to quantum interference effects was found to appear. The oscillation was decomposed into Aharonov-Bohm periodic oscillations and aperiodic fluctuations of the conductance due to a magnetic flux piercing the loop of the ring and the metal wires forming the nanostructures, respectively. We also investigated the magnetotransport under different bias currents to explore the interplay between electron phase coherence and spin accumulation effects in strong spin-orbit conductors.