Excess noise in Al${}_\text{x}$Ga${}_\text{1-x}$As/GaAs based quantum rings

Abstract

Cross-correlated noise measurements are performed in etched Al${}_\text{x}$Ga${}_\text{1-x}$As/GaAs based quantum rings in equilibrium at bath temperature of $T_\text{bath}=4.2\text{ K}$. The measured white noise exceeds the thermal (Johnson-Nyquist) noise expected from the measured electron temperature $T_\text{e}$ and the electrical resistance $R$. This excess part of the white noise decreases as $T_\text{bath}$ increases and vanishes for $T_\text{bath}\geq 12\text{ K}$. Excess noise is neither observed if one arm of a quantum ring is depleted of electrons nor in 1D-constrictions that have a length and width comparable to the quantum rings. A model is presented that suggests that the excess noise originates from the correlation of noise sources, mediated by phase-coherent propagation of electrons.