Geometry-assisted topological transitions in spin interferometry

Abstract

We identify a series of topological transitions occurring in electronic spin transport when manipulating spin-guiding fields controlled by the geometric shape of mesoscopic interferometers. They manifest as distinct inversions of the interference pattern in quantum conductance experiments. We establish that Rashba square loops develop weak-(anti)localization transitions (absent in other geometries as Rashba ring loops) as an in-plane Zeeman field is applied. These transitions, boosted by nonadiabatic spin scattering, prove to have a topological interpretation in terms of winding numbers characterizing the structure of spin modes in the Bloch sphere.