Matter and electromagnetic fields: remarks on the dualistic and unitarian standpoints (Q2386870)

Concerning the relation of matter and electromagnetic fields, one can take two different standpoints, i.e., a unitarian standpoint or a dualistic standpoint, as it was stated by \textit{M. Born} and \textit{L. Infeld} [``Foundations of the new field theories, Proc. R. Soc. Lond., Ser. A 144, 425--451 (1934; Zbl 0008.42203/JFM 60.0750.02)]. The authors deal with two models related to the two standpoints, both based on only two very general principles: (i) the invariance with respect to the Poincaré group; (ii) the presence of nonlinear terms which make the existence of the solitary waves (solitons) possible. The analysis made is purely mathematical and does not involve the principles of quantum mechanics. The existence of static solutions is also put into evidence.