Spin-orbit coupling and phase-coherence in InAs nanowires

We investigated the magnetotransport of InAs nanowires grown by selective area metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy. In the temperature range between 0.5 and 30 K reproducible fluctuations in the conductance upon variation of the magnetic field or the back-gate voltage are observed, which are attributed to electron interference effects in small disordered conductors. From the correlation field of the magnetoconductance fluctuations the phase-coherence length l_phi is determined. At the lowest temperatures l_phi is found to be at least 300 nm, while for temperatures exceeding 2 K a monotonous decrease of l_phi with temperature is observed. A direct observation of the weak antilocalization effect indicating the presence of spin-orbit coupling is masked by the strong magnetoconductance fluctuations. However, by averaging the magnetoconductance over a range of gate voltages a clear peak in the magnetoconductance due to the weak antilocalization effect was resolved. By comparison of the experimental data to simulations based on a recursive two-dimensional Green's function approach a spin-orbit scattering length of approximately 70 nm was extracted, indicating the presence of strong spin-orbit coupling.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Disentangling surface and bulk transport in topological-insulator pp-nn junctions

By combining $n$-type $\mathrm{Bi_2Te_3}$ and $p$-type $\mathrm{Sb_2Te_3}$ topological insulators, vertically stacked $p$-$n$ junctions can be formed, allowing to position the Fermi level into the bulk band gap and also tune between $n$- and $p$-type surface carriers. Here we use low-temperature magnetotransport measurements to probe the surface and bulk transport modes in a range of vertical $\mathrm{Bi_2Te_3/Sb_2Te_3}$ heterostructures with varying relative thicknesses of the top and bottom layers. With increasing thickness of the $\mathrm{Sb_2Te_3}$ layer we observe a change from $n$- to $p$-type behavior via a specific thickness where the Hall signal is immeasurable. Assuming that the the bulk and surface states contribute in parallel, we can calculate and reproduce the dependence of the Hall and longitudinal components of resistivity on the film thickness. This highlights the role played by the bulk conduction channels which, importantly, cannot be probed using surface sensitive spectroscopic techniques. Our calculations are then buttressed by a semi-classical Boltzmann transport theory which rigorously shows the vanishing of the Hall signal. Our results provide crucial experimental and theoretical insights into the relative roles of the surface and bulk in the vertical topological $p$-$n$ junctions.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Coherent ultrafast spin-dynamics probed in three dimensional topological insulators

Topological insulators are candidates to open up a novel route in spin based electronics. Different to traditional ferromagnetic materials, where the carrier spin-polarization and magnetization are based on the exchange interaction, the spin properties in topological insulators are based on the coupling of spin- and orbit interaction connected to its momentum. Specific ways to control the spin-polarization with light have been demonstrated: the energy momentum landscape of the Dirac cone provides spin-momentum locking of the charge current and its spin. The directionality of spin and momentum, as well as control with light has been demonstrated. Here we demonstrate a coherent femtosecond control of spin-polarization for states in the valence band at around the Dirac cone.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

Flutuação populacional do ácaro-da-ferrugem-da-videira em vinhedo comercial em Candiota, RS, com diferentes métodos de amostragem.

Nos vinhedos da Região da Campanha do Rio Grande do Sul, o ácaro-da-ferrugem-da-videira, Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa, 1905) (Acari: Eriophyidae), tem sido encontrado com frequência desde a safra 2004/2005 associado com sintomas de bronzeamento nas folhas. A flutuação populacional de C. vitis na cultivar ?Cabernet Sauvignon? foi estudada em vinhedo comercial localizado em Candiota, RS, durante as safras agrícolas 2007/2008 (de novembro a junho) e 2008/2009 (de outubro a maio). A amostragem foi realizada nas folhas e através de armadilhas constituídas por fitas adesivas de dupla face instaladas nos ramos de produção. O pico populacional, na primeira safra, ocorreu em março de 2008 quando foram registrados 0,34 indivíduos por cm² da face abaxial das folhas medianas e 29,48 indivíduos por armadilhas. Na segunda safra, o pico populacional foi menos intenso e ocorreu em outubro de 2008, quando foram detectados 0,11 indivíduos por cm² da face abaxial das folhas medianas e 0,43 indivíduos por armadilhas. Foi detectado que o início do deslocamento de C. vitis para os locais de hibernação ocorre no verão, a partir de fevereiro. As armadilhas adesivas foram mais eficientes para identificar a presença de C. vitis no vinhedo do que a avaliação direta nas folhas. Uma correlação positiva foi encontrada entre o número de C. vitis na face abaxial das folhas e o percentual de folhas com infestação