Riemannian light cone from vanishing birefringence in premetric vacuum electrodynamics

Journal Article · Mon Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2004 · Physical Review. D, Particles Fields

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.70.105022· OSTI ID:20698053

Laemmerzahl, Claus; Hehl, Friedrich W ^[1]

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1. Centre of Advanced Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM), University of Bremen, Am Fallturm, 28359 Bremen (Germany)

We consider premetric electrodynamics with a local and linear constitutive law for the vacuum. Within this framework, we find quartic Fresnel wave surfaces for the propagation of light. If we require (i) the Fresnel equation to have only real solutions and (ii) the vanishing of birefringence in vacuum, then a Riemannian light cone is implied. No proper Finslerian structure can occur. This is generalized to dynamical equations of any order.

• OSTI ID: 20698053
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Vol. 70, Issue 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.70.105022; (c) 2004 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BIREFRINGENCE
ELECTRODYNAMICS
LIGHT CONE
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
RIEMANN SPACE