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Single-Slit Electron Diffraction with Aharonov-Bohm Phase: Feynman’s Thought Experiment with Quantum Point Contacts

Pradip Khatua, Bhavtosh Bansal, and Dan Shahar
Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 010403 – Published 3 January 2014
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Abstract

In a “thought experiment,” now a classic in physics pedagogy, Feynman visualizes Young’s double-slit interference experiment with electrons in magnetic field. He shows that the addition of an Aharonov-Bohm phase is equivalent to shifting the zero-field wave interference pattern by an angle expected from the Lorentz force calculation for classical particles. We have performed this experiment with one slit, instead of two, where ballistic electrons within two-dimensional electron gas diffract through a small orifice formed by a quantum point contact (QPC). As the QPC width is comparable to the electron wavelength, the observed intensity profile is further modulated by the transverse waveguide modes present at the injector QPC. Our experiments open the way to realizing diffraction-based ideas in mesoscopic physics.

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  • Received 7 September 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.010403

© 2014 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Vector Potentials Rule

Published 3 January 2014

A famous thought experiment on quantum particles in magnetic fields has been realized with nanostructures.

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Authors & Affiliations

Pradip Khatua1,2, Bhavtosh Bansal2, and Dan Shahar1

  • 1Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
  • 2Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur Campus, Nadia 741252, West Bengal, India

Comments & Replies

Comment on “Single-Slit Electron Diffraction with Aharonov-Bohm Phase: Feynman’s Thought Experiment with Quantum Point Contacts”

S. C. Tiwari
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 158901 (2014)

Khatua, Bansal, and Shahar Reply:

Pradip Khatua, Bhavtosh Bansal, and Dan Shahar
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 158902 (2014)

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Vol. 112, Iss. 1 — 10 January 2014

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