Non-Linear Electrodynamics and its Applications

Abstract

In 1934 Born and Infeld constructed the first non-linear generalization of Maxwell's electrodynamics that turned out to be a remarkable theory in many respects. In 1936 Heisenberg and Euler computed an effective action describing non-linear corrections to Maxwell's theory due to quantum electron-positron one-loop effects. Since then, these and a variety of other models of non-linear electrodynamics proposed in the course of decades have been extensively studied and used in a wide range of areas of theoretical physics including string theory, gravity, cosmology and condensed matter (CMT). In this talk I will overview general properties of non-linear electrodynamics and the most interesting (from my point of view) models which are distinguished by their symmetry properties, such as a recently discovered unique non-linear modification of Maxwell's electrodynamics which is conformal and duality invariant. I will also sketch how non-linear electromagnetic effects may manifest themselves in physical phenomena (such as vacuum birefringence), in properties of gravitational objects (such as charged black holes) and in the evolution of the universe, and can be used, via gravity/CMT holography, for the description of properties of certain conducting and insulating materials.

Ample space for questions and discussion will be allocated at the end of the TH Colloquium.  We have also created an online Q&A space for each seminar. You can submit your question by filling the form. The answers will be published soon after.

For more info see  https://www.ggi.infn.it/seminars

It will take place via Zoom at: https://infn-it.zoom.us/j/86838320521