Strong Aharonov-Bohm quantum interference in simply-connected LaAlO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ structures

We report Aharonov-Bohm (AB)-type quantum interference in simply-connected devices created at the LaAlO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ interface using conductive-atomic force microscope (c-AFM) lithography. The oscillations are multi-periodic functions of magnetic field strength, and they exhibit a substantial magnetic hysteresis with frequencies that depends on the magnetic sweep direction. The oscillation amplitude for the lowest two frequencies approaches $e^2/h$, consistent with the theoretical maximum for the AB effect, and harmonics up to third order are observable. Broadband quasiperiodic behavior is reported in a fraction of simply-connected electron waveguide devices that exhibit magnetic asymmetries. Curiously, nanoscale ring devices that are multiply-connected lack signatures of AB quantum interference. The interference phenomena are associated with an inhomogeneous magnetic landscape within the LaAlO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ nanostructures.
Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Supplementary materials