The current magnetization hypothesis as a microscopic theory of the {\O}rsted magnetic field induction

TL;DR

This paper computationally tests the current magnetization hypothesis as a microscopic explanation for the Oersted magnetic field, showing it aligns with classical predictions and may resolve discrepancies in nanowire experiments.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the current magnetization hypothesis can reproduce classical magnetic field results and explains observed anomalies in nanowire magnetic induction.

Findings

CMH reproduces Maxwell-Ampere results for square cross-section wires

CMH can resolve contradictions in nanowire magnetic induction observations

Non-conductive surface layers may explain deviations from classical predictions

Abstract

A wire that conducts an electric current will give rise to circular magnetic field (the \O{}rsted magnetic field), which can be calculated using the Maxwell-Ampere equation. For wires with diameters in the macroscopic scale, the Maxwell-Ampere equation is an established physical law that has can reproduce a range of experimental observations. A key implication of this equation is that the induction of \O{}rsted magnetic field is only a result of the displacement of charge. A possible microscopic origin of \O{}rsted magnetic induction was suggested in [J. Mag. Mag. Mat. 504, 166660 (2020)] (will be called the current magnetization hypothesis (CMH) thereupon). The present work establishes computationally, using simplified wire models, that the CMH reproduces the results of the Maxwell-Ampere equation for wires with a square cross section. I demonstrate that CMH could resolve the apparent contradiction between the observed induced magnetic field and that predicted by the Maxwell-Ampere equation in nanowires, as was reported in [Phys. Rev. B 99, 014436 (2019)]. The CMH shows that a possible reason for such contradiction is the presence of non-conductive surface layers in conductors.