On the spin- 1/2 Aharonov–Bohm problem in conical space: Bound states, scattering and helicity nonconservation

•Planar dynamics of a spin- 1/2 neutral particle.•Bound state for Aharonov–Bohm systems.•Aharonov–Bohm scattering.•Helicity nonconservation.•Determination of the self-adjoint extension parameter.

In this work the bound state and scattering problems for a spin- 1/2 particle undergone to an Aharonov–Bohm potential in a conical space in the nonrelativistic limit are considered. The presence of a δδ-function singularity, which comes from the Zeeman spin interaction with the magnetic flux tube, is addressed by the self-adjoint extension method. One of the advantages of the present approach is the determination of the self-adjoint extension parameter in terms of physics of the problem. Expressions for the energy bound states, phase-shift and SS matrix are determined in terms of the self-adjoint extension parameter, which is explicitly determined in terms of the parameters of the problem. The relation between the bound state and zero modes and the failure of helicity conservation in the scattering problem and its relation with the gyromagnetic ratio gg are discussed. Also, as an application, we consider the spin- 1/2 Aharonov–Bohm problem in conical space plus a two-dimensional isotropic harmonic oscillator.