Transient electric current through an Aharonov-Bohm ring after switching of a Two-Level-System

Abstract

Response of the electronic current through an Aharonov-Bohm ring after a two-level-system is switched on is calculated perturbatively by use of non-equilibrium Green function. In the ballistic case the amplitude of the Aharonov-Bohm oscillation is shown to decay to a new equilibrium value due to scattering into other electronic states. Relaxation of Altshuler-Aronov-Spivak oscillation in diffusive case due to dephasing effect is also calculated. The time scale of the relaxation is determined by characteristic relaxation times of the system and the splitting of two-level-system. Oscillation phases are not affected. Future experimental studies of current response may give us direct information on characteristic times of mesoscopic systems.