Survival of ${\Phi }_0/2$ periodicity in presence of incoherence in asymmetric Aharonov-Bohm rings

Abstract

Magneto conductance oscillations periodic in flux with periodicity ${\Phi }_0$ and ${\Phi }_0/2$ are seen in asymmetric Aharonov-Bohm rings as a function of density of electrons or Fermi wave vector. Dephasing of these oscillations is incorporated using a simple approach of wave attenuation. In this work we study how the excitation of the ${\Phi }_0/2$ oscillations and the accompanying phase change of $\pi$ are affected by dephasing. Our results show that the ${\Phi }_0/2$ oscillations survive incoherence, i.e., dephasing, albeit with reduced visibility while incoherence is also unable to obliterate the phase change of $\pi$.

4 pages, 3 figures