The Aharonov-Bohm Effect from the Point of View of Local Realism

Alexander V. Gritsunov, Natalie Masolova

The locality principle fulfillment in the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect is analyzed from the point of view of a self-sufficient potential formalism based on so-called gradient hypothesis in electrodynamics. The "magnetic" kind of AB effect is examined (as the quantum charged particle moves to an infinitely long solenoid with a permanent current), and no locality principle violation recognized if the gradient hypothesis is used. A conclusion is made that AB effect is no longer a physical and electrodynamic "paradox".

Yakir Aharonov

John Bernard Kennedy

Ismael L. Paiva, Pedro R. Dieguez, R. M. Angelo +1 more

The Aharonov-Bohm effect is a fundamental topological phenomenon with a wide range of applications. It consists of a charge encircling a region with a magnetic flux in a superposition of wave packets having their relative phase affected by the flux. In this work we analyze this effect using an entropic measure known as realism, originally introduced as a quantifier of a system's degree of reality and mathematically related to notions of global and local quantum coherence. More precisely, we look for observables that lead to gauge-invariant realism associated with the charge before it completes its loop. We find that the realism of these operators has a sudden change when the line connecting the center of both wave packets crosses the solenoid. Moreover, we consider the case of a quantized magnetic-field source, pointing out similarities and differences between the two cases. Finally, we discuss some consequences of these results.

Kicheon Kang

We address the question of locality versus nonlocality in the Aharonov-Bohm and the Aharonov-Casher effects. For this purpose, we investigate all possible configurations of ideal shielding of the overlap between the electromagnetic fields generated by a charge and by a magnetic flux and analyze their consequences on the Aharonov-Bohm-Casher interference. In a classical treatment of shielding, the Aharonov-Bohm-Casher effect vanishes regardless of the geometry of shielding when the local overlap of electromagnetic fields is completely eliminated. On the other hand, the result depends on the configuration of shielding if the charge quantization in the superconducting shield is taken into account. It is shown that our results are fully understood in terms of the fluctuating local-field interaction. Our analysis strongly supports the alternative view on the Aharonov-Bohm-Casher interference that the effects originate from the local action of electromagnetic fields.

G N Afanasiev