Polarization and magnetization fields in the Aharonov-Bohm effect

Abstract

The electric Aharonov-Bohm effect is usually explained by means of the scalar potential, which is present in a multiply connected region of space time where no electric field acts on the charged particle. An alternative interpretation is given in terms of the particle's polarization field penetrating the region occupied by the electric field but inaccessible to the particle itself. Similarly, the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect is usually explained by means of the vector potential, which is present in a multiply connected region of space where no magnetic-induction field acts on the charged particle. An alternative interpretation of this effect is given in terms of the particle's magnetization field penetrating the region occupied by the magnetic-induction field but inaccessible to the particle itself. Our interpretations of the electric and magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effects are both developed by using the multipolar form of the Lagrangian instead of the minimal-coupling form in the Feynman path integral.