THE AHARONOV-CASHER AND BERRY’S PHASE EFFECTS IN SOLIDS

Abstract

We consider the manifestations of charge-induced topological phase shift (Aharonov-Casher effect) in condensed matter physics. There will be an oscillating response to high voltage of the magnetic moment (persistent current) and conductivity, as well as a phase shift of the Aharonov-Bohm oscillation to a smaller voltage, for the normal metal ring threaded by a charged fiber. These oscillations shift in phase if the magnetic field vector rotates along the ring, as a consequence of the geometrical (Berry’s) phase associated with the electron spin.