Nonlinear Scalar Interactions in the EMDrive: Petiau's Elliptic-Function Approach
Abstract
The EMDrive, a controversial electromagnetic propulsion concept, challenges momentum conservation in standard Maxwell electrodynamics. We propose a beyond-Maxwell framework by coupling the electromagnetic field to a light scalar field, inspired by axion-like particle models and effective field theory. Using Guy Petiau's 1958 elliptic-function solutions for nonlinear wave equations, we construct exact cavity modes and combine them via Jacobi addition theorems. These nonlinear modes produce an asymmetric momentum flux, suggesting a theoretical pathway for EMDrive thrust. We compute the stress-tensor asymmetry numerically and show that while standard axion-like particles yield negligible effects, light scalars beyond current constraints could produce measurable thrust. The framework provides testable predictions connecting EMDrive physics to dark matter searches.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2601.10769,
title = {Nonlinear Scalar Interactions in the EMDrive: Petiau's Elliptic-Function Approach},
author = {Mario J. Pinheiro},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.10769},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
5 pages, 1 figure, 1 table