Work

Nonlinear duality-invariant conformal extension of Maxwell’s equations

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: All nonlinear extensions of the source-free Maxwell equations preserving both $SO(2)$ electromagnetic duality invariance and conformal invariance are found, and shown to be limits of a one-parameter generalization of Born-Infeld electrodynamics. The strong-field limit is the same as that found by Bialynicki-Birula from Born-Infeld theory but the weak-field limit is a new one-parameter extension of Maxwell electrodynamics, which is interacting but admits exact light-velocity plane-wave solutions of arbitrary polarization. Small-amplitude waves on a constant uniform electromagnetic background exhibit birefringence, but one polarization mode remains lightlike.

Source: Physical review. D/Physical review. D.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevd.102.121703

Authors: Igor Bandos, Kurt Lechner, Dmitri Sorokin, Paul K. Townsend

Institutions: Ikerbasque, University of the Basque Country, University of Padua, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Padova, University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid