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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F−
Published on: July 27, 2018
Photon-mass bound destroyed by vortices
Eric Adelberger1, Gia Dvali, Andrei Gruzinov
1Center for Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-4290, USA.
Abstract:
The Particle Data Group gives an upper bound on the photon mass m < 2 x 10(-16) eV from a laboratory experiment and lists, but does not adopt, an astronomical bound m < 3 x 10(-27) eV, both of which are based on the plausible assumption of large galactic vector potential. We argue that the interpretations of these experiments should be changed, which alters significantly the bounds on m. If m arises from a Higgs effect, both limits are invalid because the Proca vector potential of the galactic magnetic field may be neutralized by vortices giving a large-scale magnetic field that is effectively Maxwellian. If, on the other hand, the galactic magnetic field is in the Proca regime, the very existence of the observed large-scale magnetic field gives m(-1) > or = 1 kpc, or m < or = 10(-26) eV.
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