Skip to main content
Log in

The Aharonov–Bohm Phase Shift and Boyer's Critical Considerations: New Experimental Result but Still an Open Subject?

  • Published:
Foundations of Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The main experiments concerning the Aharonov–Bohm phase shifts, seen in an electron interference pattern, and their Boyer semiclassical explanations are reviewed. A new experiment is also presented which emphasizes the subtleties involved in the interpretations of the magnetic Aharonov–Bohm phase shift as a result of a non-dispersive or dispersive effect.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Y. Aharonov and D. Bohm, “Significance of electromagnetic potentials in quantum theory, ” Phys. Rev. 115, 485–491 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  2. T. H. Boyer, “Classical electromagnetic deflections and lag effects associated with quantum interference pattern shifts: Considerations related to the Aharonov–Bohm effect, ” Phys. Rev. D 8, 1679–1693 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  3. A. Zeilinger, “Generalized Aharonov–Bohm experiments with neutrons, ” in Fundamental Aspects of Quantum Theory, V. Gorini and A. Frigerio, eds. (Plenum, New York, 1986), pp. 311–318.

    Google Scholar 

  4. H. Schimd, “Coherence length measurement by producing extremely high phase shifts, ” in Proceedings, Eight European Congress on Electron Microscopy, Budapest, Hungary, 1984, A. Csnady, P. Roehlich, and D. Szabò, eds. (Programme Committee of the Congress, Budapest, 1984), pp. 285–286.

    Google Scholar 

  5. G. Matteucci, G. F. Missiroli, and G. Pozzi, “A new electrostatic phase shifting effect, ” Ultramicroscopy 10, 247–251 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  6. G. Matteucci, G. F. Missiroli, M. Porrini, and G. Pozzi, “Recent observations on a new electrostatic phase shifting effect, ” in Proceedings of the International Symposium on Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, S. Kamefuchi et al., eds. (Physical Society of Japan, Tokyo, 1984), p. 39.

    Google Scholar 

  7. G. Matteucci and G. Pozzi, “New diffraction experiments on the electrostatic Aharonov–Bohm effect, ” Phys. Rev. Lett. 54, 2469–2472 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  8. G. Matteucci and G. Pozzi, “The Aharonov–Bohm effect and the quantum interference phase shift due to an electrostatic field, ” in Quantum Uncertainties, W. M. Honig, D. W. Kraft, and E. Panarella, eds. (Plenum, New York, 1987), pp. 297–306.

    Google Scholar 

  9. G. Moellenstedt and H. Dueker, “Beobachtungen und Messungen an Biprisma-interferenzen mit Elektronenwellen, ” Z. Phys. 145, 377–397 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  10. G. Matteucci, G. F. Missiroli, and G. Pozzi, “Electron holograms of long-range electrostatic fields, ” in Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics, Vol. 99 (Academic Press, 1998), pp. 171–240.

    Google Scholar 

  11. M. Peshkin and A. Tonomura, “The Aharonov–Bohm effect, ” in Lecture Notes in Physics, Vol. 340 (Springer, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  12. A. Tonomura, N. Osakabe, T. Matsuda, T. Kawasaki, J. Endo, S. Yano, and H. Yamada, “Evidence for Aharonov–Bohm effect with magnetic field completely shielded from electron wave, ” Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 792–795 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  13. B. Liebowitz, “Significance of the Aharonov–Bohm effect, ” Nuovo Cimento 38, 932–950 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  14. T. H. Boyer, “Semiclassical explanation of the Matteucci–Pozzi and the Aharonov–Bohm phase shifts, ” Found. Phys. 32, 41–49 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  15. S. Olariu and I. I. Popescu, “The quantum effects of electromagnetic fluxes, ” Rev. Mod. Phys. 57, 339–436 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  16. E. Volkl, L. F. Allard, and D. C. Joy, Introduction to Electron Holography (Plenum, New York, 1999).

    Google Scholar 

  17. T. H. Boyer, “Does the Aharonov–Bohm effect exist?, ” Found. Phys. 30, 893–905 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  18. T. H. Boyer, “Classical electromagnetism and the Aharonov–Bohm phase shift, ” Found. Phys. 30, 907–932 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  19. T. H. Boyer, “Classical electromagnetic interaction of a point charge and a magnetic moment: Considerations related to the Aharonov–Bohm phase shift, ” Found. Phys. 32, 1–39 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  20. G. Badurek, H. Weinfurter, R. Gaehler, A. Kollmar, S. Wehinger, and A. Zeilinger, “Nondispersive phase of the Aharonov–Bohm effect, ” Phys. Rev. Lett. 71, 307–311 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Matteucci, G., Iencinella, D. & Beeli, C. The Aharonov–Bohm Phase Shift and Boyer's Critical Considerations: New Experimental Result but Still an Open Subject?. Foundations of Physics 33, 577–590 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023766519291

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023766519291

Navigation