Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1308.2093

Aharonov-Bohm effect, local field interaction, and Lorentz invariance

Kicheon Kang

Published Aug 9, 2013• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

A field-interaction scheme is introduced for describing the Aharonov-Bohm effect, fully consistent with the principle of relativity. Our theory is based on the fact that local field interactions are present even when a particle moves only in a field-free region. The interaction Lagrangian between a charge and a flux is uniquely constructed from three principles: Lorentz covariance, linearity in the interaction strength, and a correct stationary limit of charge. Our result resolves fundamental questions raised on the standard interpretation of the Aharonov-Bohm effect, concerning its duality with the Aharonov-Casher effect and the equivalence between the potential and the field-interaction models for describing the electromagnetic interaction. Most of all, potential is eliminated in our theory, and all kind of the force-free Aharonov-Bohm effect is understood in a unified framework of the Lorentz-covariant local interaction of electromagnetic fields.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1308.2093

Related papers

Aharonov-Casher and shielded Aharonov-Bohm effects with a quantum electromagnetic field

Pablo L. Saldanha

We use a covariant formalism that is capable of describing the electric and magnetic versions of the Aharonov-Bohm effect, as well as the Aharonov-Casher effect, through local interactions of charges and currents with the quantum electromagnetic field. By considering that only local interactions of a quantum particle with the quantum field can affect its behavior, we show that the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect must be present even if the solenoid generating the magnetic field is shielded by a perfect conductor, as experimentally demonstrated.

arXiv:2011.09005•Physical Review A•Sep 24, 2021•11 citations

Gauge-independent description of the Aharonov-Bohm effect

Xiang Li, T. H. Hansson, Wei Ku

The Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect is a pure quantum effect that implies a measurable phase shift in the wave function for a charged particle that encircles a magnetic flux located in a region inaccessible to the particle. Classically, such a nonlocal effect appears to be impossible since the Lorentz force depends on only the magnetic field at the location of the particle. In quantum mechanics, the Hamiltonian, and thus the Schr\"odinger equation, has a local coupling between the current due to the particle and the electromagnetic vector potential $\mathbf{A}$, which extends to the entire space beyond the region with finite magnetic field. This has sometimes been interpreted as meaning that in quantum mechanics $\mathbf{A}$ is in some sense more ``fundamental'' than $\mathbf{B}$ in spite of the former being gauge dependent and thus unobservable. Here we shall, with a general proof followed by a few examples, demonstrate that the AB effect can be fully accounted for by considering only the gauge-invariant $\mathbf{B}$ field, as long as it is included as part of the quantum action of the entire isolated system. The price for the gauge-invariant formulation is that we must give up locality---the AB phase for the particle will arise from the change in the action for the $\mathbf{B}$ field in the region inaccessible to the particle.

arXiv:2209.11091•Physical Review A•Sep 21, 2022•9 citations

Different ways to the Aharonov–Bohm effect and elucidation of its physical meaning

Alexander L. Kholmetskii, O. Missevitch, Tolga Yarman

We compare different ways to the Aharonov–Bohm (A–B) phase for an electrically charged point-like particle in an electromagnetic field and disclose three mathematically equivalent representations for the A–B phase, which explicitly demonstrate its Lorentz invariance and gauge invariance. Based on these results, we obtain a linear dependence of the wave vector of a moving charged particle on the vector composition of mechanical and electromagnetic momenta, which sheds new light on the physical origin of the A–B effect.

International Journal of Modern Physics A•Mar 30, 2026•0 citations

Aharonov--Bohm effect, electrodynamics postulates, and Lorentz condition

Viktor Borisovich Bobrov, S. A. Trigger, G. J. F. van Heijst +1 more

The problem of the relation between the Ahronov-Bohm effect and traditional postulates of electrodynamics, which claim that only electric and magnetic fields are observable, is resolved by denial of the statement about validity of the Maxwell equations for microscopic fields. We proceed from the idea that the Maxwell equations, as the generalization of experimental data, are valid only for averaged values. We show that microscopic electrodynamics should be based on postulation of the d'Alembert equations for four-vector of the electromagnetic field potential. The Lorentz condition is valid only for the averages and provides the implementation of the Maxwell equations for averages. This concept eliminates the problem of electromagnetic field quantization and provides the correctness of all known results of quantum electrodynamics. Therefore, the "virtuality" of the longitudinal and scalar photons has a formal mathematical character, conditioned by the Maxwell equations for averaged fields. The longitudinal and scalar photons provide not only the Coulomb interaction of charged particles, but also allow the electrical Aharonov-Bohm effect.

arXiv:1306.6736•Jun 28, 2013•2 citations

Unveiling the Role of Vector Potential in the Aharonov–Bohm Effect

M. Wakamatsu

The most popular interpretation of the Aharonov–Bohm (AB) effect is that the electromagnetic potential locally affects the complex phase of a charged particle’s wave function in the magnetic field free region. However, since the vector potential is a gauge-variant quantity, multiple researchers suspect that it is just a convenient tool for calculating the force field. This motivates them to explain the AB effect without using the vector potential, which inevitably leads to some sort of non-locality. This frustrating situation is shortly summarized by the statement by Aharonov et al. that the AB effect may be due to a local gauge potential or due to non-local gauge-invariant fields. In the present paper, we shall give several convincing arguments which support the viewpoint that the vector potential is not just a convenient mathematical tool with little physical entity. Despite its gauge arbitrariness, the vector potential certainly contains a gauge-invariant piece, which solely explains the observed AB phase shift. Importantly, this component has a property such that it is basically unique and cannot be eliminated by any regular gauge transformations. To complete the discussion, we also discuss the role of remaining gauge arbitrariness still contained in the entire vector potential.

arXiv:2506.07018•Symmetry•Jun 12, 2025•0 citations

Proposal for locality test of the Aharonov-Bohm effect via Andreev interferometer without a loop

Kicheon Kang

We propose a quantitative test of the quantum locality in the electromagnetic interaction that generates the Aharonov-Bohm effect. For this purpose, we analyze the Lorentz-covariant field interaction approach based on the local action of gauge-invariant quantities only (“local” theory), and compare it with the standard potential-based (“nonlocal”) theory. Whereas the two approaches yield identical results for topological phase and any phenomenon involving classical equation of motion, an example violating this equivalence is presented; interference of the Andreev reflections from two independent superconducting inputs into a single normal metallic output. A well-defined phase shift of the interference is predicted in the “local” theory. In contrast, the potential-based Lagrangian fails the corresponding prediction. This result is significant as it can settle the issue of quantum locality in the electromagnetic interaction.

arXiv:1512.02765•Journal of the Korean Physical Society•Oct 19, 2017•12 citations
A field-interaction scheme is introduced for describing the Aharonov-Bohm effect, fully consistent with the principle of relativity. Our theory is based on the fact that local field interactions are present even when a particle moves only in a field-free region. The interaction Lagrangian between a charge and a flux is uniquely constructed from three principles: Lorentz covariance, linearity in the interaction strength, and a correct stationary limit of charge. Our result resolves fundamental questions raised on the standard interpretation of the Aharonov-Bohm effect, concerning its duality with the Aharonov-Casher effect and the equivalence between the potential and the field-interaction models for describing the electromagnetic interaction. Most of all, potential is eliminated in our theory, and all kind of the force-free Aharonov-Bohm effect is understood in a unified framework of the Lorentz-covariant local interaction of electromagnetic fields.
We use a covariant formalism that is capable of describing the electric and magnetic versions of the Aharonov-Bohm effect, as well as the Aharonov-Casher effect, through local interactions of charges and currents with the quantum electromagnetic field. By considering that only local interactions of a quantum particle with the quantum field can affect its behavior, we show that the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect must be present even if the solenoid generating the magnetic field is shielded by a perfect conductor, as experimentally demonstrated.
The Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect is a pure quantum effect that implies a measurable phase shift in the wave function for a charged particle that encircles a magnetic flux located in a region inaccessible to the particle. Classically, such a nonlocal effect appears to be impossible since the Lorentz force depends on only the magnetic field at the location of the particle. In quantum mechanics, the Hamiltonian, and thus the Schr\"odinger equation, has a local coupling between the current due to the particle and the electromagnetic vector potential A\mathbf{A}A, which extends to the entire space beyond the region with finite magnetic field. This has sometimes been interpreted as meaning that in quantum mechanics A\mathbf{A}A is in some sense more ``fundamental'' than B\mathbf{B}B in spite of the former being gauge dependent and thus unobservable. Here we shall, with a general proof followed by a few examples, demonstrate that the AB effect can be fully accounted for by considering only the gauge-invariant B\mathbf{B}B field, as long as it is included as part of the quantum action of the entire isolated system. The price for the gauge-invariant formulation is that we must give up locality---the AB phase for the particle will arise from the change in the action for the B\mathbf{B}B field in the region inaccessible to the particle.
We compare different ways to the Aharonov–Bohm (A–B) phase for an electrically charged point-like particle in an electromagnetic field and disclose three mathematically equivalent representations for the A–B phase, which explicitly demonstrate its Lorentz invariance and gauge invariance. Based on these results, we obtain a linear dependence of the wave vector of a moving charged particle on the vector composition of mechanical and electromagnetic momenta, which sheds new light on the physical origin of the A–B effect.
The problem of the relation between the Ahronov-Bohm effect and traditional postulates of electrodynamics, which claim that only electric and magnetic fields are observable, is resolved by denial of the statement about validity of the Maxwell equations for microscopic fields. We proceed from the idea that the Maxwell equations, as the generalization of experimental data, are valid only for averaged values. We show that microscopic electrodynamics should be based on postulation of the d'Alembert equations for four-vector of the electromagnetic field potential. The Lorentz condition is valid only for the averages and provides the implementation of the Maxwell equations for averages. This concept eliminates the problem of electromagnetic field quantization and provides the correctness of all known results of quantum electrodynamics. Therefore, the "virtuality" of the longitudinal and scalar photons has a formal mathematical character, conditioned by the Maxwell equations for averaged fields. The longitudinal and scalar photons provide not only the Coulomb interaction of charged particles, but also allow the electrical Aharonov-Bohm effect.
The most popular interpretation of the Aharonov–Bohm (AB) effect is that the electromagnetic potential locally affects the complex phase of a charged particle’s wave function in the magnetic field free region. However, since the vector potential is a gauge-variant quantity, multiple researchers suspect that it is just a convenient tool for calculating the force field. This motivates them to explain the AB effect without using the vector potential, which inevitably leads to some sort of non-locality. This frustrating situation is shortly summarized by the statement by Aharonov et al. that the AB effect may be due to a local gauge potential or due to non-local gauge-invariant fields. In the present paper, we shall give several convincing arguments which support the viewpoint that the vector potential is not just a convenient mathematical tool with little physical entity. Despite its gauge arbitrariness, the vector potential certainly contains a gauge-invariant piece, which solely explains the observed AB phase shift. Importantly, this component has a property such that it is basically unique and cannot be eliminated by any regular gauge transformations. To complete the discussion, we also discuss the role of remaining gauge arbitrariness still contained in the entire vector potential.
We propose a quantitative test of the quantum locality in the electromagnetic interaction that generates the Aharonov-Bohm effect. For this purpose, we analyze the Lorentz-covariant field interaction approach based on the local action of gauge-invariant quantities only (“local” theory), and compare it with the standard potential-based (“nonlocal”) theory. Whereas the two approaches yield identical results for topological phase and any phenomenon involving classical equation of motion, an example violating this equivalence is presented; interference of the Andreev reflections from two independent superconducting inputs into a single normal metallic output. A well-defined phase shift of the interference is predicted in the “local” theory. In contrast, the potential-based Lagrangian fails the corresponding prediction. This result is significant as it can settle the issue of quantum locality in the electromagnetic interaction.