Topology of the Aharonov-Bohm effect in different reference frames

Recent works showed that the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) phase difference for a quantum charged particle can be written in terms of electric and magnetic fluxes in a space-time surface whose boundaries are the possible particle worldlines in the interferometer, relative to the possible paths. After presenting this result in a more detailed way, reinforcing its topological nature, we study the magnetic and electric versions of the AB effect in different inertial reference frames. We find a particular reference frame for a magnetic AB effect where the magnetic flux has a null contribution for the AB phase difference, which is entirely due to an electric flux. Also, we find a particular reference frame for an electric AB effect where the electric flux has a null contribution for the AB phase difference, which is entirely due to a magnetic flux. In this sense, the nomenclatures magnetic AB effect and electric AB effect lose their meaning. We have electromagnetic AB effects.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical review. A/Physical review, A
Published
2025-11-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/r1ht-zspf
Primary Topic
Quantum Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Physics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Topology of the Aharonov-Bohm effect in different reference frames

Karl J. Friston
Physical review. A/Physical review, A
Quantum Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Physics
article

Topology of the Aharonov-Bohm effect in different reference frames

Karl J. Friston
article en

Abstract

Recent works showed that the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) phase difference for a quantum charged particle can be written in terms of electric and magnetic fluxes in a space-time surface whose boundaries are the possible particle worldlines in the interferometer, relative to the possible paths. After presenting this result in a more detailed way, reinforcing its topological nature, we study the magnetic and electric versions of the AB effect in different inertial reference frames. We find a particular reference frame for a magnetic AB effect where the magnetic flux has a null contribution for the AB phase difference, which is entirely due to an electric flux. Also, we find a particular reference frame for an electric AB effect where the electric flux has a null contribution for the AB phase difference, which is entirely due to a magnetic flux. In this sense, the nomenclatures magnetic AB effect and electric AB effect lose their meaning. We have electromagnetic AB effects.

Physical review. A/Physical review, AVol. 112(6)
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (BR)
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Quantum Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Physics
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