Screening of Fractional Charges in (2+1)-dimensional QED

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that in (2+1)-dimensional QED, fractional static charges are screened by dynamical fields due to quantum superposition effects, leading to a finite potential.

Contribution

It reveals that fractional charges in 2D QED are screened by quantum superpositions, a novel insight into charge screening mechanisms.

Findings

Logarithmic potential is screened by dynamical fields.

Screening occurs even for fractional probe charges.

Quantum superpositions enable exact screening.

Abstract

We show that the logarithmically rising static potential between opposite-charged sources in two dimensions is screened by dynamical fields even if the probe charges are fractional, in units of the charge of the dynamical fields. The effect is due to quantum mechanics: the wave functions of the screening charges are superpositions of two bumps localized both near the opposite- and the same-charge sources, so that each of them gets exactly screened.