Lorentz Symmetry Breaking and Planar Effects from Non-Linear Electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a modified non-linear electrodynamics model that induces Lorentz symmetry breaking through Chern-Simons terms, potentially explaining planar phenomena like the Hall effect and predicting effects such as optical birefringence.

Contribution

It presents a novel non-linear electrodynamics framework that naturally incorporates Lorentz violation and explores its physical implications for planar electromagnetic phenomena.

Findings

Lorentz symmetry breaking can be modeled via non-linear electrodynamics.

The model predicts optical birefringence effects.

Vacuum conductance phenomena are possible in this framework.

Abstract

We propose a modification of standard linear electrodynamics in four dimensions, where effective non-trivial interactions of the electromagnetic field with itself and with matter fields induce Lorentz violating Chern-Simons terms. This yields two consequences: it provides a more realistic and general scenario for the breakdown of Lorentz symmetry in electromagnetism and it may explain the effective behavior of the electromagnetic field in certain planar phenomena (for instance, Hall effect). A number of proposals for non-linear electrodynamics is discussed along the paper. Important physical implications of the breaking of Lorentz symmetry, such as optical birefringence and the possibility of having conductance in the vacuum are commented on.