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

Physical Review A

Comment on ‘‘Proposed Aharonov-Casher effect: Another example of an Aharonov-Bohm effect arising from a classical lag’’

Yakir Aharonov, Philip Pearle, Lev Vaidman A

Published May 1, 1988• 152 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A classical model of a neutron as a current loop is examined. The importance of the mechanical structure (which was overlooked by Boyer) for the dynamical equations is elaborated. It is shown that the current loop has the same behavior in an external static electric field as was obtained for the neutron by Aharonov and Casher from the Dirac equation.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.37.4052

Related papers

Interpretation of the Aharonov-Bohm and the Aharonov-Casher Effects in Terms of Classical Electromagnetic Fields

Gianfranco Spavieri, G. Cavalleri

When an electric charge passes past a stationary current loop the time-varying fields induce changes of the internal energy of the loop. The magnetic flux of the loop also changes and, by Faraday's law, creates a radiation electric field which acts back on the particle. This interaction produces a classical electromagnetic lag which generates the phase shifts of the wave function foreseen by these effects. A possible experimental test is proposed.

Europhysics Letters (EPL)•Feb 21, 1992•14 citations

Proposed Aharonov-Casher effect: Another example of an Aharonov-Bohm effect arising from a classical lag

Timothy H. Boyer

In 1984 Aharonov and Casher proposed that a beam of neutral particles with magnetic dipole moments passing around opposite sides of a line charge will undergo a relative quantum phase shift. This is currently under experimental investigation. Aharonov and Casher claimed that the magnetic dipole particles should undergo the phase shift despite experiencing no classical force. They suggested that this new effect has a ``duality'' with the solenoid Aharonov-Bohm effect where charged particles passing around a magnetic solenoid experience a phase shift despite, it is claimed, experiencing no classical force. Here it is pointed out that a magnetic dipole particle passing a line charge does indeed experience a classical electromagnetic force in the usual electric-current model for a magnetic dipole. This force will produce a relative lag between dipoles passing on opposite sides of the line charge, and the classical lag then leads to a quantum phase shift in exact agreement with that calculated by Aharonov and Casher. Thus actually the proposed Aharonov-Casher effect has a transparent explanation as a classical lag effect. It is emphasized that the solenoid Aharonov-Bohm effect is currently the only phase-shift effect which cannot be explained in an obvious fashion as arising from a classical lag and it is again proposed that also this shift may actually involve a classical electromagnetic lag effect. A natural experimental consequence suggested by the lag point of view is the breakdown of the interference pattern when the lag becomes comparable to the wave-packet coherence length.

Physical Review A•Nov 1, 1987•110 citations

Comment on Macroscopic Test of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect

Tomislav Ivezić

In this Comment it is shown that it cannot be argued that in the magnetic AB effect there is no force acting on the particle, i.e., that the observed phase shift is entirely due to nonzero vector potential. In stationary resistive conductors carrying constant currents there are quasistatic surface charges, which generate not only the electric field inside the wire driving the current, but also a static electric field outside it. These external static electric fields have nothing to do with Boyer's force picture and with his result for the existence of a time delay.

arXiv:1407.4826•Jun 4, 2014•0 citations

Comments on cold neutron confinement by an electromagnetic classical field

Stanley A. Bruce

Regarding a recent paper (Bruce S 2006 Phys. Scr. 74 371), we comment on cold neutron confining in a system consisting of an Aharonov–Casher together with a properly set Aharonov–Bohm configuration. We find that, for the supersymmetric ground state, an extra spin–orbit (spin-electromagnetic angular momentum density) term should be present. This effect turns out to modify the phenomenology associated with the anomalous magnetic moment of the neutron.

Physica Scripta•Jan 17, 2007•0 citations

Is Aharonov–Casher Effect Topological?

Tae-Yeon Lee

It is shown that the Aharonov–Casher effect and neutron scalar Aharonov–Bohm effect are topological in two dimension and this fact is not incompatible with the argument of Peshkin and Lipkin.

International Journal of Modern Physics B•May 10, 1998•0 citations

Aharonov--Bohm and Aharonov--Casher effects in meso-scopic physics: A brief review

Y. Avishai, Y. B. Band

We briefly review the theoretical formulations and applications of the Aharonov--Bohm effect and the Aharonov--Casher effect with emphasis on mesoscopic physics. Topics relating to the Aharonov--Bohm effect include: locality, periodicity, non-integrable phase factors, Abelian gauge theory, interference, the spectrum and persistent current of electrons on a ring pierced by a magnetic field, Onsager reciprocity relations, and Aharonov--Bohm interferometer. Topics relating to the Aharonov--Casher effect include: a magnetic dipole in an electric field, locality, periodicity, non-Abelian gauge invariance, SU(2) non-integrable phase factors, spin-orbit coupling, Pauli equation, Rashba Hamiltonian, Aharonov--Casher interferometer, conductance and polarization in two-channel systems due to the Aharonov--Casher effect.

arXiv:2302.06300•Feb 13, 2023•0 citations
A classical model of a neutron as a current loop is examined. The importance of the mechanical structure (which was overlooked by Boyer) for the dynamical equations is elaborated. It is shown that the current loop has the same behavior in an external static electric field as was obtained for the neutron by Aharonov and Casher from the Dirac equation.
In 1984 Aharonov and Casher proposed that a beam of neutral particles with magnetic dipole moments passing around opposite sides of a line charge will undergo a relative quantum phase shift. This is currently under experimental investigation. Aharonov and Casher claimed that the magnetic dipole particles should undergo the phase shift despite experiencing no classical force. They suggested that this new effect has a ``duality'' with the solenoid Aharonov-Bohm effect where charged particles passing around a magnetic solenoid experience a phase shift despite, it is claimed, experiencing no classical force. Here it is pointed out that a magnetic dipole particle passing a line charge does indeed experience a classical electromagnetic force in the usual electric-current model for a magnetic dipole. This force will produce a relative lag between dipoles passing on opposite sides of the line charge, and the classical lag then leads to a quantum phase shift in exact agreement with that calculated by Aharonov and Casher. Thus actually the proposed Aharonov-Casher effect has a transparent explanation as a classical lag effect. It is emphasized that the solenoid Aharonov-Bohm effect is currently the only phase-shift effect which cannot be explained in an obvious fashion as arising from a classical lag and it is again proposed that also this shift may actually involve a classical electromagnetic lag effect. A natural experimental consequence suggested by the lag point of view is the breakdown of the interference pattern when the lag becomes comparable to the wave-packet coherence length.
In this Comment it is shown that it cannot be argued that in the magnetic AB effect there is no force acting on the particle, i.e., that the observed phase shift is entirely due to nonzero vector potential. In stationary resistive conductors carrying constant currents there are quasistatic surface charges, which generate not only the electric field inside the wire driving the current, but also a static electric field outside it. These external static electric fields have nothing to do with Boyer's force picture and with his result for the existence of a time delay.
We briefly review the theoretical formulations and applications of the Aharonov--Bohm effect and the Aharonov--Casher effect with emphasis on mesoscopic physics. Topics relating to the Aharonov--Bohm effect include: locality, periodicity, non-integrable phase factors, Abelian gauge theory, interference, the spectrum and persistent current of electrons on a ring pierced by a magnetic field, Onsager reciprocity relations, and Aharonov--Bohm interferometer. Topics relating to the Aharonov--Casher effect include: a magnetic dipole in an electric field, locality, periodicity, non-Abelian gauge invariance, SU(2) non-integrable phase factors, spin-orbit coupling, Pauli equation, Rashba Hamiltonian, Aharonov--Casher interferometer, conductance and polarization in two-channel systems due to the Aharonov--Casher effect.