INTERACTING ELECTRONS IN DISORDERED POTENTIALS - CONDUCTANCE VERSUS PERSISTENT CURRENTS

An expression for the conductance of interacting electrons in the diff usive regime as a function of the ensemble averaged persistent current and the compressibility of the system is presented. This expression i nvolves only ground-state properties of the system. The different depe ndencies of the conductance and persistent current on the electron-ele ctron interaction strength becomes apparent. The conductance and persi stent current of a small system of interacting electrons are calculate d numerically and their variation with the strength of the interaction is compared. It is found that while the persistent current is enhance d by interactions, the conductance is suppressed.