Gauge-invariant formulation of axion-electrodynamics

In this paper, we propose a simple generalization of axion-electrodynamics (AED) for the general case in which Dirac fermion fields and scalar/pseudoscalar axion-like fields are present in the local [Formula: see text]([Formula: see text])[Formula: see text] gauge-invariant Lagrangian of the system. Our primary goal (which is not explored here) is to understand and predict novel phenomena that have no counterpart in standard (pseudoscalar) AED. With this end in view, we discuss on very general grounds, possible processes in which a Dirac field is coupled to axionic fields via the electromagnetic (EM) field.