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The interference pattern of electron waves passing around opposite sides of the apex of a carbon nanocone. Since geodesics (i.e. moving phase fronts) emanating from one point can intersect on the opposite side of the cone, one obtains interference without diffraction. |
The role of electron phase in carbon nanocones is truly fascinating. As a low-energy electronic state circuits the apex of the cone, the phase of the wavefunction experiences a mismatch, and different Fermi points become intertwined. Within a low-energy continuum theory, these phase effects can be subsumed into a factitious multi-component magnetic flux through the apex of the cone. These fluxes then have profound effects on electron interference, Landau levels, and density of states near the Fermi energy.