Galilean covariant Carroll–Field–Jackiw electrodynamics

Abstract We propose a non-relativistic version of the Carroll–Field–Jackiw theory in order to study the breaking of Galilean symmetry induced by the inclusion of an external tensor via Chern–Simons-like term in the Galilean covariant Lagrangian for the massive vector field. The results show that this model allows wave plane solutions with two frequency modes, i.e., it is possible to describe the phenomena of birefringence in the non-relativistic context. We also study the planar regime of this model in the two limits (electric and magnetic) of the usual electromagnetic field, obtaining the generation of topological mass and current of the Galilean fields. Finally, and following the same way, we propose a Podolsky electrodynamics with a Galilean-symmetry breaking term producing also the birefringence.