Comment on ``Quantum mechanics of an electron in a homogeneous magnetic field and a singular magnetic flux tube''

TL;DR

This paper critiques a recent claim that the Pauli equation for an electron in a combined uniform magnetic field and a singular flux tube cannot be accurately solved by approximating the flux tube as finite-sized, emphasizing the importance of proper limiting procedures.

Contribution

The paper challenges previous assertions by demonstrating that the singular flux tube can be effectively modeled as a limit of finite-sized flux tubes, clarifying the mathematical approach.

Findings

Proper limiting procedures are essential for solving the Pauli equation with singular flux tubes.

The critique clarifies the validity of modeling singular flux tubes as limits of finite-sized ones.

The paper emphasizes the importance of rigorous mathematical treatment in quantum magnetic flux problems.

Abstract

Recently Thienel [Ann. Phys. (N.Y.) 280 (2000), 140; quant-ph/9809047] investigated the Pauli equation for an electron moving in a plane under the influence of a perpendicular magnetic field which is the sum of a uniform field and a singular flux tube. Here we criticise his claim that one cannot properly solve this equation by treating the singular flux tube as the limiting case of a flux tube of finite size.