Interference Transport in a Two-Dimensional Topological Insulator in a CdHgTe Quantum Well

Abstract

Interference transport in mesoscopic samples of a two-dimensional topological insulator in CdHgTe quantum wells is studied for the first time. It is established that quasi-ballistic edge transport in such an insulator exists at lengths up to 10 µm. In this transport regime, almost periodic Aharonov–Bohm oscillations caused by the formation of closed loops with a characteristic size of about 200 nm by edge states are found. The phase coherence length in the two-dimensional topological insulator is determined for the first time from the measured temperature dependence of their amplitude.