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How Stable is the Photon?

Julian Heeck
Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 021801 – Published 11 July 2013
Physics logo See Synopsis: Constraining the Photon Lifetime

Abstract

Yes, the photon. While a nonzero photon mass has been under experimental and theoretical study for years, the possible implication of a finite photon lifetime lacks discussion. The tight experimental upper bound of the photon mass restricts the kinematically allowed final states of photon decay to the lightest neutrino and/or particles beyond the standard model. We discuss the modifications of the well-measured cosmic microwave background spectrum of free streaming photons due to photon mass and lifetime and obtain model-independent constraints on both parameters—most importantly a lower direct bound of 3 yr on the photon lifetime, should the photon mass be at its conservative upper limit. In that case, the lifetime of microwave photons will be time-dilated by a factor order 1015.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 17 April 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.021801

© 2013 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Constraining the Photon Lifetime

Published 11 July 2013

Photons could conceivably decay, but new analysis of the cosmic microwave background shows that a visible wavelength photon is stable for at least 1018 years.

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Authors & Affiliations

Julian Heeck*

  • Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

  • *julian.heeck@mpi-hd.mpg.de

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Issue

Vol. 111, Iss. 2 — 12 July 2013

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