Aharonov-Bohm conductance through a single-channel quantum ring: Persistent-current blockade and zero-mode dephasing

Abstract

We study the effect of electron-electron interaction on transport through a tunnel-coupled single-channel ring. We find that the conductance as a function of magnetic flux shows a series of interaction-induced resonances that survive thermal averaging. The period of the series is given by the interaction strength $\alpha$. The physics behind this behavior is the blocking of the tunneling current by the circular current. The main mechanism of dephasing is due to circular-current fluctuations. The dephasing rate is proportional to the tunneling rate and does not depend on $\alpha$.