Expanding Coulomb field

Abstract

We briefly discuss vector field theories that allow for electric charge non-conservation and focus on the modified version of the classical Maxwell theory, where the Lagrangian density has the same structure as in the Gupta-Bleuler theory with an external current-vector field coupling. Within this framework, we study the causal dynamics of the field configuration following the sudden creation of an electric charge modeled by an external current. The resulting solution describes an expanding Coulomb field, which is an inherently dynamical object featuring a shockwave-like front propagating at the speed of light (the Coulomb field is confined to the volume swept out by this front). We obtain intriguing results for the energy of the studied field configuration and for the energy carried by the shockwave-like front. General results on the dynamics following the sudden onset of an otherwise static external current are given. The field equations are solved in an unconventional way by means of a quantum-to-classical mapping. An energy-based argument against charge non-conservation in the Maxwell theory is presented.