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Cheshire θ terms, Aharonov-Bohm effects, and axions

Shi Chen1,*, Aleksey Cherman1,†, Gongjun Choi2,‡, and Maria Neuzil1,§

  • 1School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
  • 2William I. Fine Theoretical Physics Institute, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA

  • *Contact author: chen8743@umn.edu
  • †Contact author: acherman@umn.edu
  • ‡Contact author: choi0988@umn.edu
  • §Contact author: neuzi008@umn.edu
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Phys. Rev. D 112, 045012 – Published 26 August, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/jnxt-m1dk

Abstract

We discuss unusual θ terms that can appear in field theories that allow global vortices. These “Cheshire θ terms” induce Aharonov-Bohm effects for some particles that move around vortices. For example, a Cheshire θ term can appear in QCD coupled to an axion and induces Aharonov-Bohm effects for baryons and leptons moving around axion strings.

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 045012– Published 26 August, 2025
  • Received 5 December 2024
  • Accepted 9 July 2025
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