Weak-Localization in Chaotic Versus Non-Chaotic Cavities: A Striking Difference in the Line Shape

TL;DR

This paper experimentally compares quantum transport in chaotic and non-chaotic cavities, revealing distinct weak-localization line shapes and oscillations linked to electron trajectory distributions and the Aharonov-Bohm effect.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental evidence of differing weak-localization signatures between chaotic and non-chaotic ballistic cavities.

Findings

Non-chaotic cavities show a linear resistance decrease with magnetic field.

Chaotic cavities exhibit a Lorentzian weak-localization peak.

Periodic oscillations suggest Aharonov-Bohm effects within the cavities.

Abstract

We report experimental evidence that chaotic and non-chaotic scattering through ballistic cavities display distinct signatures in quantum transport. In the case of non-chaotic cavities, we observe a linear decrease in the average resistance with magnetic field which contrasts markedly with a Lorentzian behavior for a chaotic cavity. This difference in line-shape of the weak-localization peak is related to the differing distribution of areas enclosed by electron trajectories. In addition, periodic oscillations are observed which are probably associated with the Aharonov-Bohm effect through a periodic orbit within the cavities.