Limits on nonlinear electrodynamics

In this paper we set a framework in which experiments whose goal is to test QED predictions can be used in a more general way to test nonlinear electrodynamics (NLED) which contains low-energy QED as a special case. We review some of these experiments and we establish limits on the different free parameters by generalizing QED predictions in the framework of NLED. We finally discuss the implications of these limits on bound systems and isolated charged particles for which QED has been widely and successfully tested.

Figure 1

Born-Infeld prediction and Heisenberg-Euler prediction in the $(c_{2,0},c_{0,2})$ parameter space. The Born-Infeld prediction is represented by a straight line, while the Heisenberg-Euler one is a point.

Figure 2

Best experimental limits on $c_{0,2}$ and $c_{2,0}$ parameters. Striped areas: Excluded region obtained with the result of Ref. [15]. Point: Heisenberg-Euler prediction. Dashed line: Born-Infeld prediction. The point seems superimposed on the dashed line due to the scale. Dotted areas: Excluded regions due to the fact that $n_{\parallel }$ and $n_{\perp }>1$.

Figure 3

Best experimental limits on $c_{0,2}$ and $c_{2,0}$ parameters. The excluded region due to Lamb shift measurements is added.