Revisiting Scattering Enhancement from the Aharonov-Bohm Effect

Area of Science:

• Theoretical physics
• Cosmology
• Particle physics

Background:

• The Aharonov-Bohm effect describes a charged particle interacting with a magnetic vector potential.
• Cosmic strings are hypothetical topological defects that may have formed in the early Universe.
• Previous studies suggested infinite scattering cross sections for charged particles interacting with Aharonov-Bohm cosmic strings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-examine the scattering of charged particles off of Aharonov-Bohm cosmic strings.
• To investigate the implications of generalized global symmetries on this scattering process.
• To determine if a Callan-Rubakov-like enhancement occurs.

Main Methods:

• Embedding Aharonov-Bohm strings within a discrete gauge theory.
• Analyzing the scattering cross section using modern theoretical physics frameworks.
• Revisiting the classic computation of charged particle scattering.

Main Results:

• The scattering cross section is suppressed by the core size of the cosmic string.
• The previously predicted infinite total scattering cross section is not observed.
• There is no Callan-Rubakov-like enhancement in the scattering process.

Conclusions:

• The dramatic dynamical effect previously attributed to Aharonov-Bohm cosmic strings is not supported by this analysis.
• The topological nature of the Aharonov-Bohm interaction does not lead to a Callan-Rubakov-like enhancement.
• The core size of the cosmic string plays a crucial role in suppressing the scattering cross section.