Classical Electromagnetic Interaction of a Point Charge and a Magnetic Moment: Considerations Related to the Aharonov-Bohm Phase Shift

Abstract

A fundamentally new understanding of the classical electromagetic interaction of a point charge and a magnetic moment through order second order in 1/c is suggested. This relativistic analysis connects together hidden momentum in magnets, Solem's strange polarization of the classical hydrogen atom, and the Aharonov-Bohm Phase shift. We use a relativistic magnetic moment model consisting of many superimposed classical hydrogen atoms interacting through the Darwin Lagrangian with an external charge but not with each other. The analysis of Solem regarding the strange polarization of the classical hydrogen atom is seen to give a fundamentally different mechanism for the electric field of the passing charge to change the magnetic moment. The changing magnetic moment leads to an electric force back at the point charge which i)is second order in 1/c, ii)depends upon the magnetic dipole moment, changing sign with the dipole moment, iii)is odd in the charge q of the passing charge, and iv)reverses sign for charges passing on opposite sides of the magnetic moment. We suggest that a realistic multi-particle magnetic moment involves a changing magnetic moment which keeps the electromagnetic field momentum constant. This means also that the magnetic moment does not allow a significant shift in its internal center of energy. This criterion also implies that the Lorentz forces on the charged particle and on the point charge are equal and opposite and that the center of energy of each moves according to Newton's second law where the force is exactly the Lorentz force. Finally, we note that the results and suggestion given here are precisely what are needed to explain both the Aharonov-Bohm phase shift and the Aharonov-Casher phase shift as arising from classical electromagnetic forces.