Quantum mechanics in multiply-connected spaces

Abstract

This paper analyses quantum mechanics in multiply-connected spaces. It is shown that the multiple connectedness of the configuration space of a physical system can determine the quantum nature of physical observables, such as the angular momentum. In particular, quantum mechanics in compactified Kaluza - Klein spaces is examined. These compactified spaces give rise to an additional angular momentum which can adopt half-integer values and therefore, may be identified with the intrinsic spin of a quantum particle.