  We establish a new self-consistent system of equations accounting for a
non-minimal interaction of gravitational, electromagnetic and axion fields. The
procedure is based on a non-minimal extension of the standard
Einstein-Maxwell-axion action. The general properties of a ten-parameter family
of non-minimal linear models are discussed. We apply this theory to the models
with pp-wave symmetry and consider propagation of electromagnetic waves
non-minimally coupled to the gravitational and axion fields. We focus on exact
solutions of electrodynamic equations, which describe quasi-minimal and
non-minimal optical activity induced by the axion field. We also discuss
empirical constraints on coupling parameters from astrophysical birefringence
and polarization rotation observations.
