Persistent currents in normal metal rings.
Quantum mechanics predicts that the equilibrium state of a resistive metal ring will contain a dissipationless current. This persistent current has been the focus of considerable theoretical and experimental work, but its basic properties remain a topic of controversy. The main experimental challenges in studying persistent currents have been the small signals they produce and their exceptional sensitivity to their environment. We have developed a technique for detecting persistent currents that allows us to measure the persistent current in metal rings over a wide range of temperatures, ring sizes, and magnetic fields. Measurements of both a single ring and arrays of rings agree well with calculations based on a model of non-interacting electrons.
Bleszynski-Jayich
A C
AC
Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Shanks
W E
WE
Peaudecerf
B
B
Ginossar
E
E
von Oppen
F
F
Glazman
L
L
Harris
J G E
JG