Signatures of spin-related phases in transport through regular polygons

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the shape of polygonal loops affects spin-related phases in ballistic transport, revealing vertices as spin-scattering centers that influence interference patterns and phase accumulation.

Contribution

It demonstrates the impact of polygon vertices on spin phases and shows shape-dependent oscillation frequency changes in interference patterns.

Findings

Vertices act as strong spin-scattering centers.

Shape modification doubles interference oscillation frequency.

Vertices hinder the development of Aharovov-Casher and Berry phases.

Abstract

We address the subject of transport in one-dimensional ballistic polygon loops subject to Rashba spin-orbit coupling. We identify the role played by the polygon vertices in the accumulation of spin-related phases by studying interference effects as a function of the spin-orbit coupling strength. We find that the vertices act as strong spin-scattering centers that hinder the developing of Aharovov-Casher and Berry phases. In particular, we show that the oscillation frequency of interference pattern can be doubled by modifying the shape of the loop from a square to a circle.