Krátký, Matěj (2024) Physical Possibility of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In much of recent literature, the debate surrounding the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect largely consisted of two main strands. On the one hand, the AB model has been viewed as an invitation to debate about the \textit{ontology of electromagnetism}. Traditionally construed, the AB model would seem to pose a dilemma for one commonly accepted electromagnetic wisdom: the electric and magnetic fields are the fundamental physical entities of the theory while the scalar and vector potentials are mere mathematical over-descriptions. Motivated by the non-local action of the magnetic field in the AB model, the ontological debate has become somewhat inflated with accounts attempting to replace the field ontology. On the other hand, the recent philosophical work drew attention to the \textit{idealizations} involved in the AB model and their significance for explanation. In this paper, I criticise one of the driving motivations behind the ontology debate and contrary to the orthodoxy, I conclude that the AB model does not present a problem case for the naïve realist about electric and magnetic fields. By analysing the representational capacity of the AB model I answer the following questions. \textbf{Q1}: Does the AB model represent a physical possibility? \textbf{Q2}: Does the AB model pose a dilemma for realism about electric and magnetic fields?

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Krátký, Matěj matej.kratky@etu.unige.ch
Keywords:	Aharonov-Bohm effect, Physical possibility, Electromagnetism, Non-locality
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Mr. Matěj Krátký
Date Deposited:	18 Sep 2024 12:38
Last Modified:	18 Sep 2024 12:38
Item ID:	23917
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	11 June 2024
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23917

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