Flux-free conductance modulation in a helical Aharonov-Bohm interferometer

TL;DR

This paper predicts a new type of conductance oscillation in a twisted quantum ring caused by internal torsion, which induces a quantum phase shift independent of magnetic flux, differing from the traditional Aharonov-Bohm effect.

Contribution

It introduces a novel flux-free conductance oscillation mechanism in helical quantum rings due to internal torsion-induced phase shifts.

Findings

Conductance oscillation is caused by internal torsion, not magnetic flux.

The effect is distinct from the traditional Aharonov-Bohm effect.

The phenomenon is theoretically predicted in a twisted quantum ring.

Abstract

A novel conductance oscillation in a twisted quantum ring composed of a helical atomic configuration is theoretically predicted. Internal torsion of the ring is found to cause a quantum phase shift in the wavefunction that describes the electron's motion along the ring. The resulting conductance oscillation is free from magnetic flux penetrating inside the ring, which is in complete contrast with the ordinary Aharonov-Bohm effect observed in untwisted quantum rings.