Time-dependent transport in Aharonov–Bohm interferometers

A numerical approach is employed to explain transport characteristics in realistic, quantum Hall based Aharonov-Bohm interferometers. First, the spatial distribution of incompressible strips, and thus the current channels, are obtained applying a self-consistent Thomas-Fermi method to a realistic heterostructure under quantized Hall conditions. Second, the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation is solved for electrons injected in the current channels. Distinctive Aharonov-Bohm oscillations are found as a function of the magnetic flux. The oscillation amplitude strongly depends on the mutual distance between the transport channels and on their width. At an optimal distance the amplitude and t…