Light propagation in a strong external magnetic field with regard to quantum corrections

Linearized motion equations for electromagnetic wave field in the external magnetic field have been solved for the PVLAS experiment configuration within the low-energy approximation of quantum electrodynamics. It has been shown that the wave propagation velocity depends on the initial direction of the plane of wave polarization. Dispersion laws corresponding to the waves with mutually perpendicular directions of polarization have been established. The dependence of ellipticity of laser radiation field on initial polarization and the value of the external magnetic field has been obtained. The ellipticity parameter for the configuration of the system used in the PVLAS experiment has been found.