2011/02/12 by S. C. Tiwari, Tiwari, S. C.
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #General Physics (physics.gen-ph) #Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics #Quantum and electron transport phenomena #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1104.3506
openalex publication_date 2011/02/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Ratio of electron charge radius and Compton wavelength of electron is known to be equal to the dimensionless electromagnetic coupling constant e2 /ℏ c. It is pointed out that the coupling constant has two alternative interpretations: as a ratio of two angular momenta since Planck constant has the dimension of angular momentum, and two flux quanta e and hc/e. We argue that it has deep physical significance such that the electronic charge becomes flus itself and at a fundamental level fractional spin of quantized vortex. A unified perspective of the three interpretations of the coupling constant is presented invoking the new interpretation of the magnetic moment of the electron comprising of three terms. A critical discussion on the past attempts to give fundamental importance to magnetism and flux quantum is given and the implication on the unification quest of our ideas is outlined.