Nonlinear Effects on Quantum Interference in Electron Billiards

TL;DR

This study investigates how nonlinear effects influence quantum interference in electron billiards, revealing that high bias induces non-equilibrium phenomena and fractal conductance fluctuations beyond linear transport regimes.

Contribution

It demonstrates the first observation of fractal conductance fluctuations outside the linear transport regime, highlighting the impact of non-equilibrium effects at high bias.

Findings

Nonlinear effects at low bias are explained by electron heating.

High bias induces significant non-equilibrium effects.

Fractal scaling of conductance fluctuations observed at high bias.

Abstract

Magnetoconductance fluctuations are used to study the effect of an applied bias on an electron billiard. At lower bias, nonlinear effects can be well described by electron heating alone, while at higher bias (V > 2mV, ~5% of the electron Fermi energy) non-equilibrium effects become significant. At high bias, we also observe that the spectral content of the MCF is sensitive to the nonequilibrium effects. Spectral behavior is consistent with a fractal scaling of the conductance fluctuations with magnetic field, resulting in the first observation of fractal conductance fluctuations outside of the linear regime of transport.