An experimental proposal to test the physical effect of the vector potential

There are two interpretations of the Aharonov–Bohm (A–B) effect. One interpretation asserts that the A–B effect demonstrates that the vector potential is a physical reality that can result in the phase shift of a moving charge in quantum mechanics. The other interpretation asserts that the phase shift of the moving charge results from the interaction energy between the electromagnetic field of the moving charge and external electromagnetic fields. This paper briefly reviews these two interpretations and analyzes their differences. In addition, a new experimental scheme is proposed to determine which interpretation is correct.