Loop-hole free electric Aharonov-Bohm effect

We present a loop-hole free version of the electric Aharonov-Bohm effect where the quantum system, which picks up the Aharonov-Bohm phase is confined to a region where only the scalar potential is non-zero. At the same time, the electric and magnetic fields in this region are strictly zero for the entire period of the experiment. In contrast to the usual vector Aharonov-Bohm effect, where a quantum system (usually a charged particle) moves in a static background, vector potential, here the quantum system is a two-level system enclosed by a Faraday cage, which picks up the Aharonov-Bohm phase when at rest with respect to the lab frame, while the uniform scalar potential is varied with time.

For a practical experimental topology, we investigate using atoms (like rubidium) or artificial atoms (like quantum dots) as the two-level system, surrounded by a spherical conducting Faraday cage. The oscillating scalar potential is applied to the Faraday cage through an external source, which may be enhanced through capacitive or resonant coupling to the Faraday cage.