Cherenkov radiation constraint on the photon mass from a two-form gauge potential

Abstract

We investigate how electromagnetic radiation in massive antisymmetric tensor theories can be used to constrain the photon mass. In this context, massive electrodynamics constitutes one realization of the $B \wedge F$ class of models in $(3+1)$ dimensions and is obtained by dualizing Stueckelberg-like massive gauge theories. Notably, this model is characterized by the mixing of a $U(1)$ gauge potential with an Abelian $3$-form field of the type found in the topological sector of QCD. We then examine how mass affects permittivity and susceptibility and, consequently, modifies the refractive index through the dispersion relation. We subsequently investigate the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a moving charged particle as it interacts with a medium within the framework of massive electrodynamics. Our findings indicate that the medium through which the particle travels drives the radiation, in a manner analogous to the Cherenkov effect. Applying our results to data on Cherenkov radiation produced at Super-Kamiokande, we derive a photon mass bound of 1 eV ($ 10^ {- 36} $ kg), which is consistent with known estimates based on superconductors.