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arXiv · 1005.3542

Anomalous Aharonov-Bohm conductance oscillations from topological insulator surface states

Yi Zhang·Ashvin Vishwanath
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Abstract

We study transport properties of a topological insulator nanowire when a magnetic field is applied along its length. We predict that with strong surface disorder, a characteristic signature of the band topology is revealed in Aharonov Bohm (AB) oscillations of the conductance. These oscillations have a component with anomalous period $Φ_0=hc/e$, and with conductance maxima at odd multiples of $\frac12Φ_0$, i.e. when the AB phase for surface electrons is $π$. This is intimately connected to the band topology and a surface curvature induced Berry phase, special to topological insulator surfaces. We discuss similarities and differences from recent experiments on Bi$_2$Se$_3$ nanoribbons, and optimal conditions for observing this effect.

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Yi Zhang, Ashvin Vishwanath. 2010-05-19. Anomalous Aharonov-Bohm conductance oscillations from topological insulator surface states. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.105.206601

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