Casimir effect

E590880

The Casimir effect is a quantum phenomenon in which vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field produce a measurable force between closely spaced uncharged conducting surfaces.

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Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf physical effect
quantum phenomenon
vacuum fluctuation effect
causedBy vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field
zero-point energy
dependsOn boundary conditions of the electromagnetic field
geometry of the conductors
material properties of the surfaces
plate separation
describedBy Hendrik B. G. Casimir NERFINISHED
experimentalConfirmation precision measurements with parallel plates
sphere–plate geometry experiments
field quantum electrodynamics
quantum field theory
theoretical physics
firstMeasuredBy Marcus Sparnaay NERFINISHED
forceType attractive force
governingConstant Boltzmann constant in thermal corrections
Planck constant NERFINISHED
speed of light
hasFormula F = -\frac{\pi^2 \hbar c}{240 a^4} for ideal parallel plates
hasInterpretation change in vacuum energy due to boundary conditions
radiation pressure imbalance of vacuum modes
hasVariant Casimir–Polder effect NERFINISHED
dynamical Casimir effect NERFINISHED
thermal Casimir effect NERFINISHED
limitCondition ideal perfectly conducting plates
zero temperature
manifestsAs force between closely spaced uncharged conducting surfaces
mathematicalTool mode summation
path integral methods
zeta function regularization
namedAfter Hendrik B. G. Casimir NERFINISHED
relatedTo Lifshitz theory NERFINISHED
van der Waals forces
zero-point energy of the vacuum
relevantTo fundamental tests of quantum field theory
microelectromechanical systems
nanotechnology
precision force measurements
scale micrometer scale
nanometer scale
signCanBe repulsive under certain material and geometric conditions
temperatureDependence force magnitude changes with temperature
typicalConfiguration two parallel conducting plates
usedIn constraints on hypothetical new forces at short ranges
tests of modifications of gravity at submillimeter scales
yearProposed 1948

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quantum mechanics predicts Casimir effect