Comment on "Defining the electromagnetic potentials"

TL;DR

This paper critiques a previous argument claiming unique determination of electromagnetic potentials, emphasizing the fundamental role of gauge freedom in modern physics and quantum field theory.

Contribution

It challenges the claim of uniqueness of electromagnetic potentials and highlights the importance of gauge freedom in the development of modern physics.

Findings

Argues that the uniqueness claim is flawed

Reaffirms the significance of gauge freedom in physics

Connects gauge invariance to the Standard Model

Abstract

In this comment it is argued that the argument for a unique determination of the electromagnetic potentials in classical electrodynamics in [1] is flawed. To the contrary the "gauge freedom" of the electromagnetic potentials has proven as one of the most important properties in the development of modern physics, where local gauge invariance with its extension to non-Abelian gauge groups is a key feature in the formulation of the Standard Model of elementary particles in terms of a relativistic quantum field theory. [1] A. Davis, Eur. J. Phys. 41, 045202 (2020)