Electric Charge, Fractional Spin and Flux

Abstract

Ratio of electron charge radius and Compton wavelength of electron is known to be equal to the dimensionless electromagnetic coupling constant $e^2 /\hbar c$. 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.