Quantum rings for beginners II: Bosons versus fermions

The purpose of this overview paper, which can be viewed as a supplement to our previous review on quantum rings [S. Viefers et al., Physica E 21 (2004), 1–35], is to highlight the differences of boson and fermion systems in one-dimensional (1D) and quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) quantum rings. In particular this involves comparing their many-body spectra and other properties, in various regimes and models, including spinless and spinful particles, finite versus infinite interaction, and continuum versus lattice models. Our aim is to present the topic in a comprehensive way, focusing on small systems where the many-body problem can be solved exactly. Mapping out the similarities and differences between the bosonic and fermionic cases is of renewed interest due to the experimental developments in recent years, allowing for more controlled fabrication of both fermionic and bosonic quantum rings.

► We review similarities and differences between bosonic and fermionic quantum rings.
► Continuum descriptions and lattice descriptions are discussed and compared.
► We address different types of interactions and the effects of spin.
► Strictly one-dimensional rings are compared to quasi-one-dimensional rings.
► The effect of a magnetic flux (or equivalent) is explained within the above scenarios.