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

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.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure