The role of inert objects in quantum mechanical phase

E. Comay

Quantum mechanical foundations of the polarized neutron phase shift experiment are discussed. The fact that the neutron retains its ground state throughout the experiment is shown to be crucial for the phase shift obtained.

A. Rimini

H.G. Weber, G. Miksch

E. Comay

It is proven that the phase shift of a polarized neutron interacting with a spatially uniform time-dependent magnetic field demonstrates the same physical principles as the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect. The crucial role of inert objects is explained, thereby proving the quantum-mechanical nature of the effect. It is also proven that the nonsimply connectedness of the force-free region is not a profound property of the system, and that it cannot be regarded as a sufficient condition for a nonzero phase shift.

V. P. Demut︠s︡kiĭ, R.V. Polovin

E. Comay

The role of the inert magnetic source used in the Tonomura experiment that has confirmed the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect is discussed. For this purpose, an analysis of a thought experiment is carried out. Here the permanent magnet is replaced by a classical source which is made of an ideal coil. A detailed calculation of this noninert source proves that in this case the effect disappears. This outcome provides another support for the crucial role of an inert source in the Aharonov-Bohm effect. A new aspect of quantum nonlocality is pointed out.