Publication: Charged relativistic fluids and non-linear electrodynamics
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Program
KU-Authors
KU Authors
Co-Authors
Tucker, R.W.
Advisor
Publication Date
2010
Language
English
Type
Journal Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The electromagnetic fields in Maxwell's theory satisfy linear equations in the classical vacuum. This is modified in classical non-linear electrodynamic theories. To date there has been little experimental evidence that any of these modified theories are tenable. However with the advent of high-intensity lasers and powerful laboratory magnetic fields this situation may be changing. We argue that an approach involving the self-consistent relativistic motion of a smooth fluid-like distribution of matter (composed of a large number of charged or neutral particles) in an electromagnetic field offers a viable theoretical framework in which to explore the experimental consequences of non-linear electrodynamics. We construct such a model based on the theory of Born and Infeld and suggest that a simple laboratory experiment involving the propagation of light in a static magnetic field could be used to place bounds on the fundamental coupling in that theory. Such a framework has many applications including a new description of the motion of particles in modern accelerators and plasmas as well as phenomena in astrophysical contexts such as in the environment of magnetars, quasars and gamma-ray bursts.
Description
Source:
EPL
Publisher:
European Physical Society (EPS)
Keywords:
Subject
Multidisciplinary physics