Abstract
A detailed analysis is presented of the large-amplitude temperature-insensitive oscillations in the transverse magnetoresistivity of ultrapure Mg single crystals resulting from the direct interference of electron quantum states. A calculation of the relative harmonic content of these interference signals based on the transmission characteristics of a magnetic breakdown-generated interferometer is used to quantitatively study certain aspects of the electron states in Mg as well as details of magnetic breakdown. In particular, values of magnetic breakdown parametersH 0are determined without invoking the complexities of transport theory. An absolute lower limit for the electron quantum state lifetime of τ ≳ 0.5 nsec is obtained (forT=1.5° K), although a best fit to the data gives a value an order of magnitude larger, τ∼5 nsec, which corresponds to quantum phase coherence extending over a distance of 3 mm in these crystals. In addition, this work provides direct experimental verification of the π/2 phase difference between transmitted and reflected electron states at a magnetic breakdown junction. Comparison of the results of this experiment with previous work via an existing semiempirical band structure calculation demonstrates the complete consistency of these measurements with previous Fermi surface data.
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This research was supported by the National Science Foundation.
Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellow.
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Stark, R.W., Friedberg, C.B. Interfering electron quantum states in ultrapure magnesium. J Low Temp Phys 14, 111–146 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00654814
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00654814