Multirefringence phenomena in nonlinear electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper explores wave propagation in nonlinear electrodynamics, revealing that trirefringence, a phenomenon where three different wave velocities occur, can happen in certain models and regimes, expanding understanding of electromagnetic behavior in nonlinear media.

Contribution

It demonstrates that trirefringence can occur in nonlinear electrodynamics, supported by a specific model analysis, and suggests its possible presence in known theories like QED and QCD.

Findings

Trirefringence is possible in nonlinear electromagnetic theories.

A specific model exhibits phase and group velocity differences.

Potential occurrence of trirefringence in QED and QCD regimes.

Abstract

Wave propagation in nonlinear theories of the electromagnetism described by Lagrangian densities dependent upon its two local invariants L(F, G) is revisited. On the light of the recent findings in metamaterials, it is here shown that trirefringence is also a possible phenomenon to occur in the realm of such nonlinear theories. A specific model exhibiting this effect is investigated both in terms of phase and group velocities. It is claimed that wave propagation in some well known nonlinear models for spin-one fields, like QED and QCD in certain regimes, may exhibit trirefringence.