Comment on “Role of potentials in the Aharonov-Bohm effect”

Yakir Aharonov, Eliahu Cohen, and Daniel Rohrlich
Phys. Rev. A 92, 026101 – Published 31 August 2015

Abstract

Are the electromagnetic scalar and vector potentials dispensable? Vaidman [Phys. Rev. A 86, 040101(R) (2012)] has suggested that local interactions of gauge-invariant quantities, e.g., magnetic torques, suffice for the description of all quantum electromagnetic phenomena. We analyze six thought experiments that challenge this suggestion. All of them have explanations in terms of local interactions of gauge-dependent quantities, and, in addition, some have explanations in terms of nonlocal interactions of gauge-invariant quantities. We claim, however, that two of our examples have no gauge-invariant formal description and that, in general, no local description can dispense with electromagnetic potentials.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 19 February 2015
  • Revised 4 June 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.92.026101

©2015 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Yakir Aharonov

  • School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel and Schmid College of Science, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, USA

Eliahu Cohen

  • School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel

Daniel Rohrlich*

  • Department of Physics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba 8410501, Israel

  • *Corresponding author: rohrlich@bgu.ac.il

Comments & Replies

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Original Article

Role of potentials in the Aharonov-Bohm effect

Lev Vaidman
Phys. Rev. A 86, 040101(R) (2012)

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 92, Iss. 2 — August 2015

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×