The Cherenkov effect in Lorentz-violating vacua

Abstract

The emission of electromagnetic radiation by charges moving uniformly in a Lorentz-violating vacuum is studied. The analysis is performed within the classical Maxwell-Chern-Simons limit of the Standard-Model Extension (SME) and confirms the possibility of a Cherenkov-type effect. In this context, various properties of Cherenkov radiation including the rate, polarization, and propagation features, are discussed, and the back-reaction on the charge is investigated. An interpretation of this effect supplementing the conventional one is given. The emerging physical picture leads to a universal methodology for studying the Cherenkov effect in more general situations.

Comments: 14 pages, 3 figures, REVTeX4