Electric strings and light-like lumps in classical electrodynamics

Abstract

Soliton-like solutions of classical spinor electrodynamics with the symmetry of a cylinder of finite or infinite length are described. The solutions have non-vanishing total charge and, contrary to ordinary strings, an azimuthal magnetic and a radial electric field. For finite length, these lumps move with the velocity of light in the direction of the symmetry axis and the total four momentum is light-like. The crucial mechanism is a subtle compensation which prevents the matterfield from recoupling to its own electromagnetic field.