Competition between h/e and h/2e oscillations in an semiconductor Aharonov-Bohm interferometer

The magnetoresistance of a quasi-ballistic Aharonov–Bohm (AB) ring defined in the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) of an InP/In0.8Ga0.2As quantum well is studied. The ring is connected to an Al contact on one side and to a 2DEG reservoir at the other side. Two distinct magnetic field regimes can be identified. At magnetic field values where time-reversal symmetry (TRS) is broken, AB oscillations are observed. Besides oscillations with h/e periodicity, we also observe higher harmonics with h/2e and h/3e periods. In the low-magnetic field range, where TRS is preserved, the AB oscillations are alternately dominated by the h/e or h/2e component, depending on the bias voltage. Although Al is superconducting at these low magnetic fields, no evidence is found that the observed AB oscillations are related to the proximity of the superconductor. The bias voltage dependence is qualitatively described in terms of a 1D scattering model.