Resolution of the non-locality problem in the Aharonov-Bohm effect

The Aharonov-Bohm effect shows that charged particles can be affected by the potentials in the regions where there is no classical field. This observation led to the concept of non-local interaction in quantum mechanics. In a recent paper [1], the issue has been resolved by developing a semi- classical model of the classical fields. It has been shown that the wave amplitudes of these fields can exist even if the classical field is zero and this leads to the observation in case of the Aharonov- Bohm effect. In this presentation, I will discuss the work and will explain why it has been difficult to experimentally observe the electrostatic Aharonov-Bohm effect. I will also argue that this work leads to the concept of quantisation of electric charge and magnetic flux. 1. Kolahal Bhattacharya “Demystifying the nonlocality problem in Aharonov-Bohm effect”. - accepted in Physica Scripta (IOP Publishing); DOI: 10.1088/0031-8949/91/3/035501, Vol 96 Number 8: pp. 11, 2021.