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After some introduction to the strong-field QED, I discuss effects of strong magnetic fields on the photon refractive index in vacuum. Nontrivial modifications of the refractive index could only occur at the quantum level since photons are not directly coupled with each other. I elaborate on the mechanism that leads to the vacuum birefringence and the vacuum dichroism, putting an emphasis on the fermion spectrum in magnetic fields. I also mention potential experimental feasibility with the strong magnetic field induced by the ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions.
Daniel Brandenburg