Intrinsic coherence dynamics and phase localization in Aharonov-Bohm Interferometers

Abstract

The nonequilibrium real-time dynamics of electron coherence is explored in the quantum transport through the double-dot Aharonov-Bohm interferometers. We solve the exact master equation to find the exact quantum state of the device, from which the changes of the electron coherence through the magnetic flux in the nonequilibrium transport processes is obtained explicitly. We find that the relative phase between the two charge states of the double dot localizes to $\frac{\pi}{2}$ or $-\frac{\pi}{2}$ for all different magnetic flux. This nontrivial phase localization process can be manifested in the measurable occupation numbers.