Cosmic magnetic fields invariant under transverse diffeomorphisms

Abstract

We explore the consequences of the breaking of diffeomorphism (Diff) invariance in the electromagnetic sector. We consider the breaking of Diff symmetry down to the subgroup of transverse diffeomorphisms (TDiff) and analyze its impact on the generation and evolution of cosmic magnetic fields. We show that Diff breaking induces a breaking of conformal invariance that modifies the way in which magnetic fields evolve on super-Hubble scales. The effects of the highly conductive plasma in the evolution are also analyzed. We obtain the magnetic power spectrum today and discuss the parameter regions that yield intergalactic magnetic fields compatible with current observations.