dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaQuantum Fluctuations and Inertia
| Authors | Marc-Thierry Jaekel, Serge Reynaud |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | quant-ph/9506006 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9506006 |
| Journal | Electron Theory and Quantum Electrodynamics: 100 Years Later, Ed. J.P.Dowling, Plenum Press, New York (1997) 55 |
Abstract
Vacuum field fluctuations exert a radiation pressure which induces mechanical effects on scatterers. The question naturally arises whether the energy of vacuum fluctuations gives rise to inertia and gravitation in agreement with the general principles of mechanics. As a new approach to this question, we discuss the mechanical effects of quantum field fluctuations on two mirrors building a Fabry-Perot cavity. We first put into evidence that the energy related to Casimir forces is an energy stored on field fluctuations as a result of scattering time delays. We then discuss the forces felt by the mirrors when they move within vacuum field fluctuations, and show that energy stored on vacuum fluctuations contributes to inertia in conformity with the law of inertia of energy. As a further consequence, inertial masses exhibit quantum fluctuations with characteristic spectra in vacuum.
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"abstract": "Vacuum field fluctuations exert a radiation pressure which induces mechanical\neffects on scatterers. The question naturally arises whether the energy of\nvacuum fluctuations gives rise to inertia and gravitation in agreement with the\ngeneral principles of mechanics. As a new approach to this question, we discuss\nthe mechanical effects of quantum field fluctuations on two mirrors building a\nFabry-Perot cavity. We first put into evidence that the energy related to\nCasimir forces is an energy stored on field fluctuations as a result of\nscattering time delays. We then discuss the forces felt by the mirrors when\nthey move within vacuum field fluctuations, and show that energy stored on\nvacuum fluctuations contributes to inertia in conformity with the law of\ninertia of energy. As a further consequence, inertial masses exhibit quantum\nfluctuations with characteristic spectra in vacuum.",
"arxiv_id": "quant-ph/9506006",
"authors": [
"Marc-Thierry Jaekel",
"Serge Reynaud"
],
"categories": [
"quant-ph"
],
"journal_ref": "Electron Theory and Quantum Electrodynamics: 100 Years Later, Ed.\n J.P.Dowling, Plenum Press, New York (1997) 55",
"title": "Quantum Fluctuations and Inertia",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9506006"
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