Comment on “Energy-level shift of quantum systems via the scalar electric Aharonov-Bohm effect”
Phys. Rev. A 111, 066203 – Published 13 June, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/c8t7-y8h2
Abstract
Recently, Chiao et al. proposed a novel scalar electric Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect [Phys. Rev. A 107, 042209 (2023)]. They claimed that a quantum system inside a Faraday cage with a time-varying but spatially uniform scalar potential acquires an AB phase, resulting in observable energy-level shifts. This Comment argues that their analysis is flawed: A spatially uniform scalar potential inside the cage, despite external variations, can be gauged away without altering gauge-invariant observables, such as energy differences, thus invalidating their claim. A possible explanation of this seemingly puzzling result is also given.
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Phys. Rev. A 111, 066204 (2025)
Original Article
Energy-level shift of quantum systems via the scalar electric Aharonov-Bohm effect
Phys. Rev. A 107, 042209 (2023)
