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

Journal of Mathematical Physics

Path integrals with a periodic constraint: The Aharonov–Bohm effect

Christopher Casenas Bernido, Akira Inomata

Published Apr 1, 1981• 47 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The Aharonov–Bohm effect is formulated in terms of a constrained path integral. The path integral is explicitly evaluated in the covering space of the physical background to express the propagator as a sum of partial propagators corresponding to homotopically different paths. The interference terms are also calculated for an infinitely thin solenoid, which are found to contain the usual flux dependent shift as the dominant observable effect and an additional topological shift unnoticeable in the two slit interference experiment.

DOI
10.1063/1.524963

Related papers

Feynman path-integral approach to the Aharonov-Bohm effect

Christopher C. Gerry, Vijay A. Singh

The Aharonov-Bohm effect is investigated in the Feynman path-integral formulation of quantum mechanics. We consider an idealized situation with an electron moving in a magnetic-field-free region outside a solenoid whose radius to length ratio is very small. The nonvanishing vector potential term in the Lagrangian is written as an angular-velocity-dependent potential. In order to account for a singularity due to the presence of the solenoid itself, a periodic constraint is imposed on the path integral. The propagator can then be evaluated using the polar-coordinate methods of Peak and Inomata. It is found that the propagator has the general form $K({\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}},{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}}^{\ensuremath{'}};\ensuremath{\tau})=\ensuremath{\Sigma}{n}^{}{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{n}{K}_{n}({\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}},{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}}^{\ensuremath{'}};\ensuremath{\tau})$ where the sum is taken over all classes of homotopic paths and the ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{n}$ are a one-dimensional representation of the homotopy group. This is the form of the propagator as conjectured by Schulman.

Physical review. D. Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology/Physical review. D. Particles and fields•Nov 15, 1979•53 citations

Aharonov–Bohm effect in noncommutative spaces

Масуд Чайчиан, Peter Prešnajder, Mohammad Mehdi Sheikh-Jabbari +1 more

The Aharonov–Bohm effect on the noncommutative plane is considered. Developing the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, we find the propagation amplitude for a particle in a noncommutative space. We show that the corresponding shift in the phase of the particle propagator due to the magnetic field of a thin solenoid receives certain gauge invariant corrections because of the noncommutativity. Evaluating the numerical value for this correction, an upper bound for the noncommutativity parameter is obtained.

arXiv:hep-th/0012175•Physics Letters B•Feb 1, 2002•171 citations

The covariant, time-dependent Aharonov–Bohm effect

Douglas Singleton, Elias C. Vagenas

We discuss two possible covariant generalizations of the Aharonov–Bohm effect – one expression in terms of the space–time line integral of the four-vector potential and the other expression in terms of the space–time “area” integral of the electric and magnetic fields written in terms of the Faraday 2-form. These expressions allow one to calculate the Aharonov–Bohm effect for time-dependent situations. In particular, we use these expressions to study the case of an infinite solenoid with a time varying flux and find that the phase shift is zero due to a cancellation of the Aharonov–Bohm phase shift with a phase shift coming from the Lorentz force associated with the electric field, E=−∂tA, outside the solenoid. This result may already have been confirmed experimentally.

arXiv:1305.1498•Physics Letters B•May 9, 2013•45 citations

MONTE CARLO EVALUATION OF THE AHARONOV-BOHM EFFECT

George C. John, Vijay A. Singh

The electron propagator in the Aharonov-Bohm effect is investigated using the Feynman path integral formalism. The calculation of the propagator is effected using a variation of the Metropolis Monte Carlo algorithm. Unlike “exact” calculations, our approach permits us to include a nonvanishing solenoid radius. We investigate the dependence of the resulting interference pattern on the magnetic field as well as the solenoid radius. Our results agree with the exact case in the limit of an infinitesimally small solenoid radius.

International Journal of Modern Physics C•Feb 1, 1995•1 citation

The propagator in the generalized Aharonov–Bohm effect

C. H. Oh, Chopin Soo, C. H. Lai

The nonrelativistic propagator is derived by formulating the generalized Aharonov–Bohm effect, valid for any gauge group in a general multiply connected manifold, as a gauge artifact in the universal covering space. The loop phase factors and the free homotopy propagators arise naturally. An explicit expression for the propagator when there are two solenoids present is given.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•May 1, 1988•12 citations

The Aharonov-Bohm effect in double- and single-slit diffraction

D Shapiro, Walter C. Henneberger

Single- and double-slit diffraction patterns are obtained by means of path integrals. The slit function is taken to be unity. This permits the study of the single-slit case as a limit of the double-slit case when the slit width is equal to the slit separation. Introduction of a whisker of flux at the midpoint of the space between slits gives the Aharonov-Bohm shift. In the case of a wide single slit, one obtains conditions approaching those postulated in calculations similar to the scattering calculation of Aharanov and Bohm (1959).

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Sep 7, 1989•11 citations
The Aharonov–Bohm effect is formulated in terms of a constrained path integral. The path integral is explicitly evaluated in the covering space of the physical background to express the propagator as a sum of partial propagators corresponding to homotopically different paths. The interference terms are also calculated for an infinitely thin solenoid, which are found to contain the usual flux dependent shift as the dominant observable effect and an additional topological shift unnoticeable in the two slit interference experiment.
The Aharonov-Bohm effect is investigated in the Feynman path-integral formulation of quantum mechanics. We consider an idealized situation with an electron moving in a magnetic-field-free region outside a solenoid whose radius to length ratio is very small. The nonvanishing vector potential term in the Lagrangian is written as an angular-velocity-dependent potential. In order to account for a singularity due to the presence of the solenoid itself, a periodic constraint is imposed on the path integral. The propagator can then be evaluated using the polar-coordinate methods of Peak and Inomata. It is found that the propagator has the general form $K({\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}},{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}}^{\ensuremath{'}};\ensuremath{\tau})=\ensuremath{\Sigma}{n}^{}{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{n}{K}_{n}({\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}},{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{r}}}^{\ensuremath{'}};\ensuremath{\tau})$ where the sum is taken over all classes of homotopic paths and the ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{n}$ are a one-dimensional representation of the homotopy group. This is the form of the propagator as conjectured by Schulman.
The Aharonov–Bohm effect on the noncommutative plane is considered. Developing the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, we find the propagation amplitude for a particle in a noncommutative space. We show that the corresponding shift in the phase of the particle propagator due to the magnetic field of a thin solenoid receives certain gauge invariant corrections because of the noncommutativity. Evaluating the numerical value for this correction, an upper bound for the noncommutativity parameter is obtained.
We discuss two possible covariant generalizations of the Aharonov–Bohm effect – one expression in terms of the space–time line integral of the four-vector potential and the other expression in terms of the space–time “area” integral of the electric and magnetic fields written in terms of the Faraday 2-form. These expressions allow one to calculate the Aharonov–Bohm effect for time-dependent situations. In particular, we use these expressions to study the case of an infinite solenoid with a time varying flux and find that the phase shift is zero due to a cancellation of the Aharonov–Bohm phase shift with a phase shift coming from the Lorentz force associated with the electric field, E=−∂tA, outside the solenoid. This result may already have been confirmed experimentally.
The electron propagator in the Aharonov-Bohm effect is investigated using the Feynman path integral formalism. The calculation of the propagator is effected using a variation of the Metropolis Monte Carlo algorithm. Unlike “exact” calculations, our approach permits us to include a nonvanishing solenoid radius. We investigate the dependence of the resulting interference pattern on the magnetic field as well as the solenoid radius. Our results agree with the exact case in the limit of an infinitesimally small solenoid radius.
Single- and double-slit diffraction patterns are obtained by means of path integrals. The slit function is taken to be unity. This permits the study of the single-slit case as a limit of the double-slit case when the slit width is equal to the slit separation. Introduction of a whisker of flux at the midpoint of the space between slits gives the Aharonov-Bohm shift. In the case of a wide single slit, one obtains conditions approaching those postulated in calculations similar to the scattering calculation of Aharanov and Bohm (1959).