Astrophysics Seminar
Electromagnetic momentum in the Aharonov-Bohm quantum interference experiment from a physical perspective
Speaker: Prof. Ashok K. Singal (PRL Ahmedabad)
Date and time
Venue
Library Block Lecture Hall
Abstract
In the Aharonov-Bohm double-slit experiment, a mysterious electromagnetic momentum seems to appear due to a vector potential at the location of the interfering electron beams, even when the magnetic field is zero there.
It has remained a puzzle, how mere potential, thought to be just a mathematical tool for calculating electromagnetic field, can give rise to electromagnetic momentum in a system.
A satisfactory physical explanation of the existence of momentum, at least under the aegis of classical electromagnetism, is still missing since inception of the idea more than half a century back.
We explain here from where an electromagnetic momentum appears in the system.