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Significance of Electromagnetic Potentials in the Quantum Theory

Y. Aharonov and D. Bohm

  • H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, England

Phys. Rev. 115, 485 – Published 1 August, 1959

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.115.485

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss some interesting properties of the electromagnetic potentials in the quantum domain. We shall show that, contrary to the conclusions of classical mechanics, there exist effects of potentials on charged particles, even in the region where all the fields (and therefore the forces on the particles) vanish. We shall then discuss possible experiments to test these conclusions; and, finally, we shall suggest further possible developments in the interpretation of the potentials.

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References (12)

  1. Omitted endnote

  2. Omitted endnote

  3. L. Marton, Phys. Rev. 85, 1057 (1952) ibid.90, 490 (1953) Marton, Simpson, and Suddeth, Rev. Sci. Instr. 25, 1099 (1954)
  4. G. Mollenstedt, Naturwissenschaften 42, 41 (1955) G. Mollenstedt and H. Düker, Z. Physik 145, 377 (1956)
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  8. E. Jahnke and F. Emde, Tables of Functions (Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1943), fourth edition, p. 138
  9. [8], p. 24
  10. Omitted endnote

  11. D. Bohm, Quantum Theory (Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1951)
  12. C. G. Kuper, Advances in Physics, edited by N. F. Mott (Taylor and Francis, Ltd., London, 1959), Vol. 8, p. 25, Sec. 3, Par. 3

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