Preprint

PUBDB-2025-05478

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Shockwaves and Time Delays in Einstein-Maxwell Effective Field Theory

Grojean, C.DESY* ; Jiang, M.DESY* ; Vuong, H. (Corresponding author)DESY*

2025

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-05478

Report No.: DESY-25-186; arXiv:2512.15927

Abstract: We derive the shockwave metric in four-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell effective field theory (EFT) by performing an ultra-relativistic boost of the charged black hole solution accompanied by a rescaling of its mass and charge, including leading order EFT corrections. In contrast to the neutral (Schwarzschild) case, where higher derivative operators leave the shockwave geometry unchanged, we show that electrically charged shockwaves receive nontrivial EFT corrections. We then compute the time delay experienced by a probe photon traversing the resulting charged shockwave. We find that two EFT contributions, the correction to the shockwave geometry and the backreaction induced by the probe photon, are both essential for obtaining a physical time delay that is invariant under field redefinitions of the metric.

Note: 24 pages, 2 figures, v2: minor improvements. Version accepted for publication in JHEP

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Theorie-Gruppe (T)

Research Program(s):

1. 611 - Fundamental Particles and Forces (POF4-611) (POF4-611)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)390833306 - EXC 2121: Das Quantisierte Universum II (390833306) (390833306)
3. ASYMMETRY - Essential Asymmetries of Nature (101086085) (101086085)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

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