Publication
Title
Asymmetry and non-dispersivity in the Aharonov-Bohm effect
Author
Abstract
Decades ago, Aharonov and Bohm showed that electrons are affected by electromagnetic potentials in the absence of forces due to fields. Zeilinger's theorem describes this absence of classical force in quantum terms as the "dispersionless" nature of the Aharonov-Bohm effect. Shelankov predicted the presence of a quantum "force" for the same Aharonov-Bohm physical system as elucidated by Berry. Here, we report an experiment designed to test Shelankov's prediction and we provide a theoretical analysis that is intended to elucidate the relation between Shelankov's prediction and Zeilinger's theorem. The experiment consists of the Aharonov-Bohm physical system; free electrons pass a magnetized nanorod and far-field electron diffraction is observed. The diffraction pattern is asymmetric confirming one of Shelankov's predictions and giving indirect experimental evidence for the presence of a quantum "force". Our theoretical analysis shows that Zeilinger's theorem and Shelankov's result are both special cases of one theorem.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Nature communications
Publication
2019
ISSN
2041-1723
DOI
10.1038/S41467-019-09609-9
Volume/pages
10 (2019) , 10 p.
Article Reference
1700
ISI
000464338100011
Pubmed ID
30979879
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Exploring electron vortex beams (VORTEX).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 02.05.2019
Last edited 24.11.2024
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