pith. sign in

arxiv: hep-th/0208170 · v2 · pith:3766I2W5new · submitted 2002-08-23 · ✦ hep-th · physics.class-ph

No-go theorem for the classical Maxwell-Lorentz electrodynamics in odd-dimensional worlds

classification ✦ hep-th physics.class-ph
keywords classicalchargeelectrodynamicsodd-dimensionalthenworldsactionaddition
0
0 comments X
read the original abstract

If the conventional Maxwell--Lorentz formulation of classical electrodynamics is adopted in a flat spacetime of arbitrary odd dimension, then the retarded vector potential $A^\mu$ generated by a point charge turns out to be pure gauge, $A^\mu=\partial^\mu\chi$. By Gauss' law, the charge shows up as zero. The classical electromagnetic coupling is thus missing from odd-dimensional worlds. If the action is augmented by the addition of the Chern--Simons term, then the classical interaction picture in the three-dimensional world becomes nontrivial.

This paper has not been read by Pith yet.

discussion (0)

Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.