Comment on Macroscopic Test of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect

TL;DR

This paper argues that the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect cannot be explained solely by the vector potential, as external static electric fields from surface charges can exert forces on particles, challenging previous interpretations.

Contribution

It demonstrates that static electric fields outside resistive conductors influence particles, contradicting the idea that the AB effect is force-free and solely due to vector potential.

Findings

External static electric fields exist outside resistive conductors with currents.

These fields can exert forces on particles, affecting the AB phase.

The results challenge the purely topological interpretation of the AB effect.

Abstract

In this Comment it is shown that it cannot be argued that in the magnetic AB effect there is no force acting on the particle, i.e., that the observed phase shift is entirely due to nonzero vector potential. In stationary resistive conductors carrying constant currents there are quasistatic surface charges, which generate not only the electric field inside the wire driving the current, but also a static electric field outside it. These external static electric fields have nothing to do with Boyer's force picture and with his result for the existence of a time delay.