Oscillatory quantum interference effects in narrow-gap semiconductor heterostructures

We investigate quantum interference phenomena in narrow bandgap semiconductors under strong spin-orbit interaction, by measuring the magnetoresistance across mesoscopic closed-path structures fabricated in two-dimensional electron systems. We discuss our results in terms of four quantum interference effects brought about by geometric phases acquired by the electron wave functions: the Aharonov-Bohm phase, the Altshuler-Aronov-Spivak effect, the Berry’s phase due to the evolution of the spin degree of freedom, and the Aharonov-Casher phase.