The Aharonov-Bohm effect: predicted by theorists Yakir Aharonov and David Bohm in 1959, the effect is a phenomenon where electrons can be affected by electromagnetic potentials without coming in contact with actual force fields.

A 2007 experiment by Batelaan’s group showed that there is no force acting on the electrons.

That work is highlighted on the cover of the September issue of Physics Today, the journal of the American Institute of Physics, along with a feature article by Batelaan and Tonomura reviewing research into the little-understood phenomenon.

Read the rest of the Scarlet article here.

Read the feature in Physics Today here.

Herman Batelaan's page is here.

The first annual Women in Physics Conference (WoPhy09) will bring together outstanding undergraduate women researchers to expand upon their current research experiences, interact with physics students from other universities, and attend scientific talks given by invited physicists from other Midwestern universities. The conference will be held Friday, Oct. 30 through noon on Sunday, November 1.

Visit the website at http://physics.unl.edu/~wophy/ for more information.