Experimental demonstration of a photonic Aharonov-Bohm effect at radio frequencies

Abstract

Building upon recent theoretical proposals for creating an effective gauge field for photons, we experimentally demonstrate the photonic Aharonov-Bohm effect. The effect relies on the nonreciprocal phase acquired by photons during photonic transitions. Our photonic Aharonov-Bohm interferometer is broadly tunable with a contrast ratio above 30 dB, as the operating frequency varies between 8 and 12 MHz.