Euler–Heisenberg waves propagating in a magnetic background

Abstract

We derive the Euler–Heisenberg solutions that describe electromagnetic waves propagating through very intense uniform magnetic or electric background, with the effective metric approach. We first explore the case of a magnetic background: as a result of the interaction between the wave and the background there is birefringence and a longitudinal electric field component arises. The two phase velocities depend on the intensity of the external magnetic field and on the polarization of the wave; phase velocities can be slowed down up to the order of hundred thousandths for fields $$B/B_\mathrm{cr}<< 1$$ B / B cr < < 1 . The analogous study is done when the wave propagates through a uniform electric field. We then consider the situation when the background is in movement by means of a Lorentz boost, modeling then a magnetized flowing medium. We determined how this motion affects the speed of propagation of the electromagnetic wave, in this case the phase velocities depend on both the magnetic background and the direction and velocity of the boost.

Thermodynamics of Blackbody Radiation in Nonlinear Electrodynamics

“…Over the past few decades, there has been a growing interest in using nonlinear electrodynamics to probe physical processes in the regime of strong electromagnetic fields. These studies include investigations in the physics of high intensity lasers [1][2][3][4] , intense magnetic fields in compact astrophysical objects [5][6][7] , radiation propagation inside some materials 8,9 , among others 10 .…”

Light Propagating in a Born–Infeld Background as Seen by an Accelerated Observer

“…[11,12] On the other hand, it is well known that an electromagnetic wave traveling through intense EM fields has a reduced phase velocity due to vacuum polarization. This subject has been addressed since the 1970s in the literature, [13,14] as well as recently; see for instance [15,16] for the EH theory, and ref. [17] for wave propagation in a BI background.…”