On the He–McKellar–Wilkens phase of an electric dipole

The He–McKellar–Wilkens (HMW) phase of an electric dipole moving in a static magnetic field is derived by explicitly considering the interaction between the currents associated with the moving dipole and the magnetic vector potential. Conditions for the observation of the HMW phase in different field configurations are investigated. A practical setup is proposed that provides essentially a radial magnetic field with inverse radial dependence for the observation of the HMW phase with magnetic field alone. Possible magnetic field control of exciton current in an open ring setup is discussed. - Highlights: • Conditions for the observation of the HMW phase in different field configurations are investigated. • A practical setup is proposed that for the observation of the HMW phase with magnetic field alone. • Possible magnetic field control of exciton current in an open ring setup is discussed.