Upper bounds on the photon mass

TL;DR

This paper discusses how a nonzero photon mass would alter electromagnetic phenomena and uses observational effects to set upper limits on the photon mass, contributing to ongoing efforts to constrain this fundamental property.

Contribution

It introduces new bounds on the photon mass based on electromagnetic and gravitational effects, adding to existing constraints with a novel approach.

Findings

Upper bounds on photon mass are established.

Results are comparable to existing bounds.

The approach provides new insights into photon mass constraints.

Abstract

The effects of a nonzero photon rest mass can be incorporated into electromagnetism in a simple way using the Proca equations. In this vein, two interesting implications regarding the possible existence of a massive photon in nature, i.e., tiny alterations in the known values of both the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron and the gravitational deflection of electromagnetic radiation, are utilized to set upper limits on its mass. The bounds obtained are not as stringent as those recently found; nonetheless, they are comparable to other existing bounds and bring new elements to the issue of restricting the photon mass.