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Quantum forces and non-dispersivity in the Aharonov-Bohm effect

Decades ago, it was shown that electrons can be affected by electromagnetic potentials without experiencing force-fields with the advent of the Aharonov-Bohm effect. Zeilinger’s theorem related the absence of classical force fields in quantum terms as the “dispersionless” nature of the Aharonov-Bohm effect. In contrast, in the late 1990’s a quantum force was predicted for the Aharonov-Bohm physical system by Shelankov, and elucidated by Berry. Here we show experimentally that this force is indeed present. We show theoretically that Zeilinger’s theorem on the dispersionless nature is not generally applicable to the Aharonov-Bohm system.