Magnetic pole as produced by a point-like electric charge embedded in constant-field background (Q2193492)

The paper addresses a model field theory in the form of nonlinear electrodynamics, with the Lagrangian density containing a term which is anharmonic with respect to the electric and magnetic fields. It is argued that the model may be relevant for the analysis of nonlinear electromagnetic effects in vacuum, produced by ultrastrong fields in the framework of quantum electrodynamics, although the model under the consideration is defined in terms of classical fields. The analysis focuses on a linear magnetic response produced by the model when a point-like electric charge is embedded in the background composed of parallel constant electric and magnetic fields. Two types of magnetic response are identified. One is represented by a vector potential, which does not include any string singularity. The other response is represented by a vector magnetic potential featuring a singularity on a half-axis parallel to the background fields. The magnetic-field component of the latter response includes a magnetic monopole plus a field confined in an infinitely thin solenoid, which plays the same role as the Dirac's string. The value of the magnetic charge of the induced monopole is found as a function of the embedded electric charge and background fields. The nonlinear Maxwell's equations written for potentials and fields are not equivalent in the case of singular fields. It is argued that, in such a situation, the correct equations are those written in terms of potentials.