Gauss linking number and electromagnetic uncertainty principle

Jan, 1997
13 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 56 (1997) 2073-2079
e-Print:
Report number:
  • CGPG-96-6-1

Citations per year

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Abstract:
It is shown that there is a precise sense in which the Heisenberg uncertainty between fluxes of electric and magnetic fields through finite surfaces is given by (one-half \hbar times) the Gauss linking number of the loops that bound these surfaces. To regularize the relevant operators, one is naturally led to assign a framing to each loop. The uncertainty between the fluxes of electric and magnetic fields through a single surface is then given by the self-linking number of the framed loop which bounds the surface.
Note:
  • 13 pages, Revtex file, 3 eps figures
  • 03.65.Bz
  • 03.70.+k
  • uncertainty relations
  • flux: electric
  • flux: magnetic
  • operator: regularization