Backscattering from width variations in quasi-one-dimensional strips of topological insulators

Conductance modulations in wide-narrow-wide electron waveguides constructed from a two-dimensional topological insulator are investigated numerically. The conductance exhibits the Fabry-Perot oscillation at the opening of the helical edge states in the narrow segment when the potential offset imposed in the segment is varied. The quantum multiple reflections between the two ends of the narrow segment manifested by the oscillation demonstrate that the topological states are not protected from the scattering caused by an abrupt change in the channel width. The bulk states do not affect the vulnerability against the geometry scattering but they give rise to resonant transmission in an unconventional fashion.