Spin-dependent single-hole tunneling in self-assembled silicon quantum rings

We present the first findings of the transmission phase shift pi/2 in the 0.7(2e(2)/h) structure of the quantum staircase and in the Kondo-correlated state revealed by the quantum wire and the strongly coupled quantum dot which are inserted within one of the arms of the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) ring prepared inside self-assembled silicon quantum well of the p-type. The phase shift in the 0.7(2e(2)/h) structure caused by heavy holes is found to be changed from pi/2 to pi by electrically-detected NNM of the Si-29 nuclei thereby verifying the spin polarisation in a quantum wire. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.