Electromagnetism, local covariance, the Aharonov-Bohm effect and Gauss' law (Q2016045)

The paper is a relevant contribution to the general covariant quantization of the electromagnetic field in the presence of a classical electromagnetic (background) current. In particular, the paper sheds light on structural topological problems, like the interpretation of the vector potential as a connection on a principal U(1)-bundle, the Aharonov-Bohm effect in curved spacetimes, the role of the Gauss' law and the ensuing non-locality. The quantization of \(p\)-form fields is obtained by Fedosov's deformation quantization. The problems arising from the absence of local covariance are thoroughly investigated in the context of a present classical electromagnetic current.