The Aharonov-Bohm effect: A quantum or a relativistic phenomenon?

TL;DR

This paper proposes a relativistic impact model involving electric dipoles to explain the Aharonov-Bohm effect, challenging its traditional quantum-only interpretation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel impact model with electric dipoles and relativistic effects to quantitatively explain the Aharonov-Bohm effect.

Findings

The model accounts for the observed phase shift.

Relativistic time dilation influences the effect.

Provides a quantitative explanation of the phenomenon.

Abstract

The Aharonov-Bohm effect is considered by most authors as a quantum effect, but a generally accepted explanation does not seem to be available. The phenomenon is studied here under the assumption that hypothetical electric dipole distributions configured by moving charges in the solenoid act on the electrons as test particles. The relative motions of the interacting charged particles introduce relativistic time dilations. The massless dipoles are postulated as part of an impact model that has recently been proposed to account for the far-reaching electrostatic forces between charged particles described by Coulomb's law. The model provides a quantitative explanation of the Aharonov-Bohm effect.