Magnetically Tunable Kondo - Aharonov-Bohm Effect in a Triangular Quantum Dot

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a magnetic field influences electron transport in a triangular quantum dot system, revealing a tunable interplay between Kondo and Aharonov-Bohm effects due to symmetry considerations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of symmetry-driven interference effects in a triangular quantum dot system under magnetic flux.

Findings

Conductance shows sharp enhancement or suppression depending on magnetic flux.

Interplay between Kondo and Aharonov-Bohm effects is controlled by symmetry and magnetic field.

System demonstrates tunable quantum interference effects.

Abstract

The role of discrete orbital symmetry in mesoscopic physics is manifested in a system consisting of three identical quantum dots forming an equilateral triangle. Under a perpendicular magnetic field, this system demonstrates a unique combination of Kondo and Aharonov-Bohm features due to an interplay between continuous [spin-rotation SU(2)] and discrete (permutation C3v) symmetries, as well as U(1) gauge invariance. The conductance as a function of magnetic flux displays sharp enhancement or complete suppression depending on contact setups.