Dispersion and absorption effects in the linearized Euler-Heisenberg electrodynamics under an external magnetic field

Abstract: The effects of the Ohmic and magnetic density currents are investigated in the linearized Euler-Heisenberg electrodynamics. The linearization is introduced through an external magnetic field, in which the vector potential of the Euler-Heisenberg electrodynamics is expanded around of a magnetic background field, that we consider uniform and constant in this paper. From the Euler-Heisenberg linearized equations, we obtain the solutions for the refractive index associated with the electromagnetic wave superposition, when the current density is ruled by the Ohm law, and in the second case, when the current density is set by a isotropic magnetic conductivity. These solutions are functions of the magnetic background $({\bf B})$, of the wave propagation direction $({\bf k})$, it also depends on the conductivity, and on the wave frequency. As consequence, the dispersion and the absorption of plane waves change when ${\bf B}$ is parallel to ${\bf k}$ in relation to the case of ${\bf B}$ perpendicular to ${\bf k}$ in the medium. The characteristics of the refraction index related to directions of ${\bf B}$ and of the wave polarization open a discussion for the birefringence in this medium.