Generalized Aharonov-Bohm Effect: Its Derivation, Theoretical Implications and Experimental Tests
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: The Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect highlights the fundamental role of electromagnetic potentials in quantum mechanics. While extensively studied in the static case, the impact of a time-varying magnetic flux on the electron's phase shift remains an open and debated question. In this paper, we derive the AB phase shift for a time-dependent magnetic vector potential and show that it is proportional to the time average of enclosed magnetic flux. Our analysis reveals that the AB phase is continuously accumulated as the electron traverses its path, challenging the conventional view that it emerges instantaneously at the point of interference. This generalized AB effect may provide deeper insight into the role of gauge-dependent potentials in quantum mechanics and also suggest novel experimental tests using alternating or pulsed magnetic flux.
Author: Gao, Shan
Institution: Shanxi University
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7110692886