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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.

Physical Review Letters
|March 16, 2007
PubMed
Summary
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The photon mass upper bounds from laboratory and astronomical observations may be invalid. Reinterpreting experiments suggests these limits on photon mass are altered, potentially invalidating current constraints.

Area of Science:

  • Theoretical physics
  • Cosmology
  • Particle physics

Background:

  • Existing upper bounds on photon mass (m) are derived from laboratory experiments and astronomical observations.
  • These bounds, such as m < 2 x 10^-16 eV and m < 3 x 10^-27 eV, rely on the assumption of a large galactic vector potential.
  • The Particle Data Group currently lists but does not adopt the astronomical bound.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the interpretation of experiments used to constrain the photon mass.
  • To investigate how the Higgs effect and the nature of the galactic magnetic field influence these constraints.
  • To determine revised upper bounds on the photon mass.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of the implications of the Higgs mechanism on photon mass constraints.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of the Proca vector potential of galactic magnetic fields and the role of vortices.
  • Assessment of the validity of existing experimental interpretations under different astrophysical conditions.

    • Main Results:

    • If photon mass arises from a Higgs effect, existing laboratory and astronomical bounds are invalidated.
    • This invalidation occurs because galactic magnetic field vortices can neutralize the Proca vector potential, creating an effectively Maxwellian field.
    • Alternatively, if the galactic magnetic field is in the Proca regime, the existence of large-scale magnetic fields implies m < or = 10^-26 eV.

    Conclusions:

    • The interpretation of experiments constraining photon mass requires revision.
    • The validity of current upper bounds on photon mass is questionable, particularly if the Higgs mechanism is involved.
    • Revised analysis suggests a potential upper limit on photon mass of approximately 10^-26 eV under specific astrophysical conditions.