Coupling ModMax theory precursor with scalars, and BIon-type solutions

Abstract

Recently, the most general theory of electromagnetism invariant under duality and conformal invariance was written, and dubbed ModMax. It arises from a generalization of Born-Infeld (BI) theory by taking the infinite tension limit, $T\rightarrow\infty$. In this note we show that this generalization can be obtained from a brane-like construction, just like BI, and can thus be coupled to scalars in the same way to obtain a DBI-like action. All the BIon and catenoid solutions, and their interpolations, are still solutions of the generalized DBI-like action, suggesting that an interpretation within string theory could be possible. We also show that Ra\~nada's knotted solutions (with nonzero helicities) are still valid, both in the ModMax theory, and in its precursor.