Aharonov-Bohm effect with an effective complex-valued vector potential

Ismael L. Paiva*, Yakir Aharonov, Jeff Tollaksen, Mordecai Waegell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The interaction between a quantum charge and a dynamic source of a magnetic field is considered in the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) scenario. It is shown that, in weak interactions with a post-selection of the source, the effective vector potential is, generally, complex-valued. This leads to new experimental protocols to detect the AB phase before the source is fully encircled. While this does not necessarily change the nonlocal status of the AB effect, it brings new insights into it. Moreover, we discuss how these results might have consequences for the correspondence principle, making complex vector potentials relevant to the study of classical systems.

Original languageEnglish
Article number053017
JournalNew Journal of Physics
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2023

Funding

FundersFunder number
Eliahu Cohen and Lev Vaidman
Fetzer Franklin Fund
Fetzer-Franklin Fund of the John E Fetzer Memorial TrustFQXi-RFP-CPW-2006
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Foundational Questions Institute
Federico and Elvia Faggin Foundation
European Research Council
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico234347/2014-7

    Keywords

    • Aharonov-Bohm effect
    • pre- and post-selected systems
    • weak values

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Aharonov-Bohm effect with an effective complex-valued vector potential'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this