Numerical Investigation of Stub Length Influence on Dispersion Relations and Parity Effect in Aharonov-Bohm Rings

Abstract

Aharonov-Bohm (AB) rings with side-attached stubs are model systems for quantum-interference studies in mesoscopic physics. The geometry of such systems, particularly the ratio of stub length ($v$) to ring circumference ($u$), can significantly alter their electronic states. In this work, we solve Deo's transcendental mode-condition equation (Eq. 2.15 from Deo, 2021 [Deo2021]) numerically -- using Python's NumPy and SciPy libraries -- for ring-stub geometries with $v/u = 0.200, 0.205,$ and $0.210$ to generate dispersion relations ($ku$ vs. $\Phi/\Phi_{0}$) and the underlying function $\text{Re}(1/T)$. We find that changing $v/u$ shifts several of the six lowest calculated dispersion branches, with $\Delta(ku)$ up to approximately $0.34$ for the 6th branch at $\Phi=0$ when comparing $v/u=0.200$ and $v/u=0.210$. This also alters gap widths. Notably, for $v/u=0.205$ and $v/u=0.210$, the 5th and 6th consecutive calculated modes both exhibit paramagnetic slopes near zero Aharonov-Bohm flux, indicating the parity breakdown initiates at or below $v/u=0.205$. This directly demonstrates a breakdown of the simple alternating parity effect predicted by Deo (2021) [Deo2021]. These results highlight the sensitivity of mesoscopic ring spectra to fine-tuning of stub length, with potential implications for experimental control of persistent currents, as further illustrated by calculations of the net current.