Aharonov-Casher effect
Encyclopedia
The Aharonov–Casher effect is a quantum mechanical
phenomenon in which a traveling magnetic dipole
is affected by electric field
. It is dual to Aharonov-Bohm effect
, in which the quantum phase of charged particle depends on side of magnetic flux tube it comes through. In Aharonov–Casher effect, the particle has magnetic moment and the tubes are charged instead. It was used for example to observe interference
of neutrons or fluxons.
In both effects particle acquires some phase shift (
) while traveling along some path P. In Aharonov–Bohm effect it is
While for Aharonov-Casher effect it is
where
is its charge and 
is the magnetic moment.
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
phenomenon in which a traveling magnetic dipole
Magnetic dipole
A magnetic dipole is the limit of either a closed loop of electric current or a pair of poles as the dimensions of the source are reduced to zero while keeping the magnetic moment constant. It is a magnetic analogue of the electric dipole, but the analogy is not complete. In particular, a magnetic...
is affected by electric field
Electric field
In physics, an electric field surrounds electrically charged particles and time-varying magnetic fields. The electric field depicts the force exerted on other electrically charged objects by the electrically charged particle the field is surrounding...
. It is dual to Aharonov-Bohm effect
Aharonov-Bohm effect
The Aharonov–Bohm effect, sometimes called the Ehrenberg–Siday–Aharonov–Bohm effect, is a quantum mechanical phenomenon in which an electrically charged particle is affected by an electromagnetic field , despite being confined to a region in which both the magnetic field B and electric field E are...
, in which the quantum phase of charged particle depends on side of magnetic flux tube it comes through. In Aharonov–Casher effect, the particle has magnetic moment and the tubes are charged instead. It was used for example to observe interference
Double-slit experiment
The double-slit experiment, sometimes called Young's experiment, is a demonstration that matter and energy can display characteristics of both waves and particles...
of neutrons or fluxons.
In both effects particle acquires some phase shift (
) while traveling along some path P. In Aharonov–Bohm effect it isWhile for Aharonov-Casher effect it is
where
is its charge and is the magnetic moment.