On Lagrangian and non-Lagrangian conformal-invariant nonlinear electrodynamics

Abstract

A general approach is presented to describing nonlinear classical Maxwell electrodynamics with conformal symmetry. We introduce generalized nonlinear constitutive equations, expressed in terms of constitutive tensors dependent on conformal-invariant functionals of the field strengths. This allows a characterization of Lagrangian and non-Lagrangian theories. We obtain a general formula for possible Lagrangian densities in nonlinear conformal-invariant electrodynamics. This generalizes the standard Lagrangian of classical linear electrodynamics so as to preserve the conformal symmetry.