Mechanically controlled quantum interference in graphene break junctions

Caneva, Sabina; Gehring, Pascal; Garcia-Suarez, Victor M.; Garcia-Fuente, Amador; Stefani, Davide; Olavarria-Contreras, Ignacio J.; Ferrer, Jaime; Dekker, Cees; van der Zant, Herre S. J.

Abstract

The ability to detect and distinguish quantum interference signatures is important for both fundamental research and for the realization of devices such as electron resonators(1), interferometers(2) and interference-based spin filters(3). Consistent with the principles of subwavelength optics, the wave nature of electrons can give rise to various types of interference effects(4), such as Fabry-Perot resonances(5), Fano resonances(6) and the Aharonov-Bohm effect(7). Quantum interference conductance oscillations(8) have, indeed, been predicted for multiwall carbon nanotube shuttles and telescopes, and arise from atomic-scale displacements between the inner and outer tubes(9,10). Previous theoretical work on graphene bilayers indicates that these systems may display similar interference features as a function of the relative position of the two sheets(11,12). Experimental verification is, however, still lacking. Graphene nanoconstrictions represent an ideal model system to study quantum transport phenomena(13-15) due to the electronic coherence(16) and the transverse confinement of the carriers(17). Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of bowtie-shaped nano-constrictions with mechanically controlled break junctions made from a single layer of graphene. Their electrical conductance displays pronounced oscillations at room temperature, with amplitudes that modulate over an order of magnitude as a function of subnanometre displacements. Surprisingly, the oscillations exhibit a period larger than the graphene lattice constant. Charge-transport calculations show that the periodicity originates from a combination of the quantum interference and lattice commensuration effects of two graphene layers that slide across each other. Our results provide direct experimental observation of a Fabry-Perot-like interference of electron waves that are partially reflected and/or transmitted at the edges of the graphene bilayer overlap region.

Más información

Título según WOS: ID WOS:000452408300015 Not found in local WOS DB
Título de la Revista: NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
Volumen: 13
Número: 12
Editorial: Nature Publishing Group
Fecha de publicación: 2018
Página de inicio: 1126
Página final: +
DOI:

10.1038/s41565-018-0258-0

Notas: ISI