Vortex Photon Model: Program for Experimental Verification

This work investigates a vortex-based model of the photon as an alternative approach to quantum electrodynamics (QED). While mathematically consistent with the Jones formalism for polarization in describing transverse field components, the model makes distinct, falsifiable predictions - primarily the existence of a small longitudinal component in electromagnetic waves in vacuum. The article focuses on designing critical experiments to test these predictions, including direct detection of longitudinal field components and analysis of angular momentum transfer during photon absorption. Results from these experiments could either validate the model or reinforce the standard QED framework.