The work is devoted to studying some new classical electrodynamics models of interacting charged point particles and the aspects of the quantization via the Dirac procedure related to them. Based on the vacuum field theory no-geometry approach developed in [6,7,9], the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian reformulations of some alternative classical electrodynamics models are devised. The Dirac-type quantization procedure for the considered alternative electrodynamics models, based on the obtained canonical Hamiltonian formulations, is developed.
The classical relativistic least action principle is revisited from the vacuum field theory approach. New physically motivated versions of relativistic Lorentz type forces are derived, a new relativistic hadronic string model is proposed and analyzed in detail.
We point out that recently published analyses of null and timelike infinity and long-range structures in electrodynamics to large extent rediscover results present in literature. At the same time, some of the conclusions these recent works put forward may prove controversial. In view of these facts we find it desirable to revisit the analysis taken up more than two decades ago, starting from earlier works on null infinity by other authors.
We revisit the U(1) duality-invariant nonlinear models for N=1 and N=2 vector multiplets coupled to off-shell supergravities. For such theories we develop new formulations which make use of auxiliary chiral superfields (spinor in the N=1 case and scalar for N=2) and are characterized by the remarkable property that U(1) duality invariance is equivalent to the manifest U(1) invariance of the self-interaction. Our construction is inspired by the non-supersymmetric approach that was proposed by Ivanov and Zupnik a decade ago and recently re-discovered in the form of twisted self-duality.
A general approach is presented to describing nonlinear classical Maxwell electrodynamics with conformal symmetry. We introduce generalized nonlinear constitutive equations, expressed in terms of constitutive tensors dependent on conformal-invariant functionals of the field strengths. This allows a characterization of Lagrangian and non-Lagrangian theories. We obtain a general formula for possible Lagrangian densities in nonlinear conformal-invariant electrodynamics. This generalizes the standard Lagrangian of classical linear electrodynamics so as to preserve the conformal symmetry.
We update and detail the formulation of the duality-invariant systems of N interacting abelian gauge fields with N auxiliary bispinor fields added. In this setting, the self-duality amounts to U(N) invariance of the nonlinear interaction of the auxiliary fields. The U(N) self-dual Lagrangians arise after solving the nonlinear equations of motion for the auxiliary fields. We also elaborate on a new extended version of the bispinor field formulation involving some additional scalar auxiliary fields and study U(N) invariant interactions with derivatives of the auxiliary bispinor fields. Such inte…
We show that the Power-Zienau-Woolley picture of the electrodynamics of nonrelativistic neutral particles (atoms) can be derived from a gauge-invariant Lagrangian without making reference to any gauge whatsoever in the process. This equivalence is independent of choices of canonical field momentum or quantization strategies. In the process, we emphasize that in nonrelativistic (quantum) electrodynamics, the all-time appropriate generalized coordinate for the field is the transverse part of the vector potential, which is itself gauge invariant, and the use of which we recommend regardless of th…
The path integral formulation of singular systems with second order Lagrangian is studied by using the canonical path integral method. The path integral of Podolsky electrodynamics is studied.
We construct a Lagrangian for general nonlinear electrodynamics that features electric and magnetic potentials on equal footing. In the language of this Lagrangian, discrete and continuous electric-magnetic duality symmetries can be straightforwardly imposed, leading to a simple formulation for theories with the $SO(2)$ duality invariance. When specialized to the conformally invariant case, our construction provides a manifestly duality-symmetric formulation of the recently discovered ModMax theory. We briefly comment on a natural generalization of this approach to $p$-forms in $2p+2$ dimensio…
Lanczos's idea of classical electrodynamics as a biquaternionic field theory in which point singularities are interpreted as electrons is reevaluated. Using covariant quaternionic integration techniques developed by Paul Weiss in 1941, we show that the Lagrangian suggested by Lanczos in his thesis of 1919 is equivalent to the standard Lagrangian of classical electrodynamics. On the mathematical side, Lanczos's thesis contains the correct generalizations of the Cauchy-Riemann regularity conditions, and of Cauchy's formula, from complex numbers to quaternions. Lanczos therefore anticipated Moisi…
We review the modern classical electrodynamics problems and present the related main fundamental principles characterizing the electrodynamical vacuum-field structure. We analyze the models of the vacuum field medium and charged point particle dynamics using the developed field theory concepts. There is also described a new approach to the classical Maxwell theory based on the derived and newly interpreted basic equations making use of the vacuum field theory approach. In particular, there are obtained the main classical special relativity theory relations and their new explanations. The well …
A Lagrangian for quantum electrodynamics is found which makes it explicit that the photon mass is eventually set to zero in the physical part on observational ground. It remains possible to obtain a counterterm Lagrangian where the only non-gauge-invariant term is proportional to the squared divergence of the potential, while the photon propagator in momentum space falls off like the inverse squared power of k at large k, which indeed agrees with perturbative renormalizability. The resulting radiative corrections to the Coulomb potential in QED are also shown to be gauge-independent. A fundame…
It is shown that the zilch conservation law arises as the Noether current corresponding to a variational symmetry of a duality-symmetric Maxwell Lagrangian. The action of the corresponding symmetry generator on the duality-symmetric Lagrangian, while non-vanishing, is a total divergence as required by the Noether theory. The variational nature of the zilch conservation law was previously known only for some of the components of the zilch tensor, notably the optical chirality. By contrast, our analysis is fully covariant and is therefore valid for all components of the zilch tensor. The analysi…
The lagrangian of the Kaluza-Klein theory, in its simplest five-dimensional version, should include not only the scalar curvature R, but also the quadratic Gauss-Bonnet invariant. The general lagrangian is computed and the resulting non-linear equations which generalize Maxwell's system in a quite unique way are investigated. The possibility of the existence of static solutions is presented, and the qualitative behaviour of such solutions is discussed.
We first write down a very general description of nonlinear classical electrodynamics, making use of generalized constitutive equations and constitutive tensors. Our approach includes non-Lagrangian as well as Lagrangian theories, allows for electromagnetic fields in the widest possible variety of media (anisotropic, piroelectric, chiral and ferromagnetic), and accommodates the incorporation of nonlocal effects. We formulate electric-magnetic duality in terms of the constitutive tensors. We then propose a supersymmetric version of the general constitutive equations, in a superfield approach.
We construct the free Lagrangian of the magnetic sector of Carrollian electrodynamics. The construction relies on Helmholtz integrability condition for differential equations in a self consistent algorithm, working hand in hand with imposing invariance under infinite dimensional Conformal Carroll algebra. It requires inclusion of new fields in the dynamics and the system is free of gauge redundancies. We next add interaction (quartic) terms to the free Lagrangian, strictly constrained by conformal invariance and Carrollian symmetry. The dynamical realization of the non-semi simple infinite dim…
One of the long standing problems is a quest for regular black hole solutions, in which a resolution of the spacetime singularity has been achieved by some physically reasonable, classical field, before one resorts to the quantum gravity. The prospect of using nonlinear electromagnetic fields for this goal has been limited by the Bronnikov's no-go theorems, focused on Lagrangians depending on the electromagnetic invariant $F_{ab}F^{ab}$ only. We extend Bronnikov's results by taking into account Lagrangians that depend on both electromagnetic invariants, $F_{ab}F^{ab}$ and $F_{ab}\,{\star F^{ab…
We investigate the causal structure of general nonlinear electrodynamics and determine which Lagrangians generate an effective metric conformal to Minkowski. We also proof that there is only one analytic nonlinear electrodynamics presenting no birefringence.
Formalism of extended Lagrangian represent a systematic procedure to look for the local symmetries of a given Lagrangian action. In this work, the formalism is discussed and applied to a field theory. We describe it in detail for a field theory with first-class constraints present in the Hamiltonian formulation. The method is illustrated on examples of electrodynamics, Yang-Mills field and non-linear sigma model.
A simple mathematical procedure is introduced which allows redefining in an exact way divergent integrals and limits that appear in the basic equations of classical electrodynamics with point charges. In this way all divergences are at once removed without affecting the locality and the relativistic covariance of the theory, and with no need for mass renormalization. The procedure is first used to obtain a finite expression for the electromagnetic energy-momentum of the system. We show that the relativistic Lorentz-Dirac equation can be deduced from the conservation of this electromagnetic ene…
The Maxwell electromagnetic and the Lorentz type force equations are derived in the framework of the R. Feynman proper time paradigm and the related vacuum field theory approach. The electron inertia problem is analyzed within the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms and the related pressure-energy compensation principle. The modified Abraham- Lorentz damping radiation force is derived, the electromagnetic electron mass origin is argued.
The work is devoted to studying some new classical electrodynamics models of interacting charged point particles and related with them physical aspects. Based on the vacuum field theory no-geometry approach, developed in \cite{BPT,BPT1}, the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian reformulations of some alternative classical electrodynamics models are devised. A problem closely related to the radiation reaction force is analyzed aiming to explain the Wheeler and Feynman reaction radiation mechanism, well known as the absorption radiation theory, and strongly dependent on the Mach type interaction of a char…
Self-Dual Electrodynamics via the Characteristic Method: Relativistic and Carrollian Perspectives
Ningbo University（宁波大学）；Peking University（北京大学）；Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)（马克斯·普朗克引力物理研究所（爱因斯坦研究所））；Southeast University（东南大学）；King’s College London（伦敦国王学院）
