Asymptotic symmetries of electromagnetism at spatial infinity

Abstract

We analyse the asymptotic symmetries of Maxwell theory at spatial infinity through the Hamiltonian formalism. Precise, consistent boundary conditions are explicitly given and shown to be invariant under asymptotic angle-dependent u(1)-gauge transformations. These symmetries generically have non-vanishing charges. The algebra of the canonical generators of this infinite-dimensional symmetry with the Poincaré charges is computed. The treatment requires the addition of surface degrees of freedom at infinity and a modification of the standard symplectic form by surface terms. We extend the general formulation of well-defined generators and Hamiltonian vector fields to encompass such boundary modifications of the symplectic structure. Our study covers magnetic monopoles.