arXiv · 2509.26533
Topology of the Aharonov-Bohm effect in different reference frames
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 spacetime 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.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Hiram S. M. Rodrigues, Katson W. O. Arévola, Pablo L. Saldanha. 2025-09-30. Topology of the Aharonov-Bohm effect in different reference frames. https://doi.org/10.1103/r1ht-zspf
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.