Spin-charge separation and topological phase transitions in Aharonov-Bohm rings of interacting electrons

We investigate the properties of strongly correlated electronic models on a flux-threaded ring connected to semi-infinite free-electron leads. The interference pattern of such an Aharonov-Bohm ring shows sharp dips at certain flux values, determined by the filling, which are a consequence of spin-charge separation in a nanoscopic system. The conductance through such a molecule or nanodevice is related directly to its spectroscopic properties, opening new experimental possibilities for probing the phenomenology of strongly interacting systems. As a further example, for a ring described by the half-filled ionic Hubbard model we show that the weight of the first conductance peak as a function of gate voltage or external flux allows one to identify the topological charge transition between a correlated insulator and a band insulator.Fil: Normand, B.. University Of Fribourg; SuizaFil: Hallberg, Karen Astrid. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; ArgentinaFil: Aligia, Armando Ángel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Kampf, A. P.. Universität Augsburg; Alemani