Quantum circuits under magnetic field

Abstract

We consider a quantum $LC$ circuit under a constant magnetic flux $f$, and derive a discretized form of the Schrödinger equation, which is equivalent to introducing a {\em potential} $V(\varphi ,f)$ in the pseudo-flux $\varphi$-representation, which is different from that found previously by Li and Chen \cite{LI-CHEN}. Firts, we discuss the physical assumptions leading to these different results, and then study the energy spectrum of the $LC$ quantum circuit as a function of a constant external magnetic flux, using a direct numerical approach. The results are compared with the spectrum obtained using the Li-Chen potential. Our results indicate that the energy spectra from both models are quite different numerically, and as a function of $f$, so that they may be clearly distinguished under appropiate experimental conditions.