Remarks on axion-electrodynamics

Abstract

Abstract We propose a simple generalization of axion-electrodynamics (A-ED) for the general case in which both scalar and pseudoscalar axion-like fields are present in the (scalar) Lagrangian of the system. We make some remarks on the problem of finding solutions to the differential equations of motion characterizing the propagation of coupled axion fields and electromagnetic (EM) waves. Our primary goal (which is not explored here) is to understand and predict novel phenomena that have no counterpart in pseudoscalar A-ED. With this end in view, we discuss on very general grounds possible processes related to scalar (and pseudoscalar) axions, e.g., the Primakoff effect; the Compton scattering; and, notably, the EM two-photon axion decay.