Polarization of Vacuum

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Polarization of Vacuum Open Access Journal of Physics Volume 2, Issue 3, 2018, PP 15-24 ISSN- 2637-5826 Polarization of Vacuum Stanislav Konstantinov Department of Physical Electronics, Russian State Pedagogical University, St.Petersburg, RSC”Energy”, Russia *Corresponding Author: Stanislav Konstantinov,Department of Physical Electronics, Russian State Pedagogical University, St.Petersburg, RSC”Energy”, Russia ABSTRACT The study of the vacuum polarization phenomenon and the nature of its quantum structure is an actual problem in modern physics. Ignoring this fact often leads to erroneous interpretation of the experimental data. In quantum electrodynamics (QED), the instability of a physical vacuum is characterized by the formation of pairs of elementary particles. The article contains descriptions of experiments, that allow substantiate the quantum structure of vacuum and the reality of particles arising in a vacuum as a result of its polarization. The idea of "virtuality" of particles is connected with the inability of quantum field theory to describe the real mechanism of vacuum polarization. Keywords: vacuum; dark matter; polarization; electron; positron; proton; resonance INTRODUCTION particles and antiparticles in a vacuum under the action of external fields, relying on the In classical electrodynamics, vacuum is a corresponding the Klein-Gordon-Fock and "medium" with absolute dielectric and magnetic Diract equations. permeability (εₐ, μₐ), which are equal to the dielectric and magnetic constant (εₒ, μₒ). The POLARIZATION OF VACUUM AND electric strength of the vacuum is infinite, that TRANSFORMATION OF VACUUM INTO is, theoretically the electric field of any intensity MATTER cannot cause conduction currents in a vacuum due to the lack of charge carriers. In other In quantum theory, vacuum polarization is a words, the electric field strength E, the magnetic collection of virtual processes of creation and field strength H, as well as the density of annihilation of pairs of particles in a vacuum electromagnetic energy in vacuum defined by caused by quantum fluctuations. Nobel laureate them, can be infinitely large. It should be noted R. Feynman presented such fluctuations that these conclusions are obtained from the geometrically in the form of diagrams [4]. standpoint of the classical electrodynamics of Feynman constructed diagrams abstracting from Maxwell's linear field and, in the light of the real physical processes, so he pictured vacuum latest achievements of quantum electrodynamics with a wavy line, and the virtual fluctuation that (QED), are incorrect. In QED, the instability of appeared in it is shown by a ring or a loop a physical vacuum under the influence of formed by symmetrical arrows (Fig. 1). cosmic radiation, relativistic protons and However, the wave image implies that this wave electrons, peak electric fields, or high-intensity moves, and on the diagram of this movement is laser radiation is characterized by the avalanche not indicated, therefore the ring can arise only if formation of electron-positron pairs in a vacuum it is formed from a point. This means that the [1,2,3]. Nils Bohr was right when he stated 80 vacuum should be shown on such a diagram by years ago that "it is impossible to attain a a certain point object, which is transformed into tension of the order of Es for the field that a ring of fluctuations. Feynman, depicting such generates electron-positron pairs." ( Es= m²/e = a fluctuation separately, depicted it in the form 1,32·10¹⁶ V∙cmˉ¹ the characteristic quantum- of a ring in which an electron and a positron electrodynamics Sauter’s field) [3]. It should be move in one orbit, in one direction one after noted that any quantum process of pair another, at diametrically opposite points of this production from vacuum is accompanied by ring. Considering the electron-positron pair, it is various many partial processes. In QED there is necessary to pay attention to the fact that in still no complete clarity on how to solve the addition to the charge, each elementary particle problem of the production of pairs of elementary has a spin, which indicates that the particle has a Open Access Journal of Physics V2● 13 ● 2018 15 Polarization of Vacuum rotation and has an axis of such rotation. The at extremely small Planck distances ~ 10ˉ³⁵m. It claimed zero parameters of the vacuum quantum is assumed that the processes of gravitational are fully realized. Two opposite electric charges polarization of vacuum play an important role in cancel each other, and both spins add up with cosmology [5]. the opposite sign and both rotations are also With the polarization of the vacuum and its mutually compensated. With respect to mass transformation into matter, the change in the compensation, the explanation is this: each of energy of the vacuum w can be represented as a the pair particles is a quantum gyroscope, which sum: means. That the axis of rotation of the particle is strictly defined in space and remains unchanged. w = wᵖ + wᵉͬ (1) In order for an electron and a positron to where wᵖ is the vacuum polarization, wᵖ << E² / perform a joint gyroscopic rotation in a pair, the 8π; axes of their rotation must coincide. wᵉͬ is the change in the energy of the substance at the production of particles e2E2T m 2 wᵉͬ =eETϗ, ϗ = exp(−π ) (2) 4π3 ћ E The creation of particles is the main reason for the change in the energy of the vacuum. The small value of the reverse reaction wᵖ implies the limitation on the electric field strength for a given time T (Es ≈ 10¹⁶ V ∙ cmˉ¹ is the critical Schwinger’s field) [1]. Figure1. The Feymann's of diagram. The electron- In studies conducted in 1996-99 on the SLAC positron pair (virtual ring) linear accelerator, only a few electron-positron At the same time, the quantum vacuum is pair creation events were detected at a laser transformed into a quantum particle by the pulse intensity of 10¹⁷ W∙ cmˉ². Due to the fact Heisenberg's relation. By virtue of the uncertainty that within the framework of the ELI and principle in a vacuum, virtual particles can exist. In XCELS projects the laser radiation intensity this case, even the creation of charged particles in available for experiments has increased to 10²³ pair with its antiparticle is possible. Such a W ∙ cmˉ² and higher, it has become possible to production of a pair of particles on the Feynman's study the nonlinear vacuum effects that have so diagram is represented by a virtual ring. A virtual far not been experimentally studied. Thus, at the ring, supposedly, can exist for a very short time - level of ultrahigh intensities 10²⁶ W ∙ cmˉ², the within the quantum uncertainty δt ~ ћ / δE, so as not effect of scattering of a laser pulse on an to violate the law of conservation of energy. electron beam with an energy of 46.6 GeV (nonlinear Compton effect) causes such In quantum electrodynamics, vacuum polarization cascades of successive hard-photon emissions consists in the formation of virtual electron- that the creation of secondary electron-positron positron pairs under the influence of a quantum pairs in vacuum is a chain reaction that of the electromagnetic field of a photon or under continues up to up to the moment of complete the influence of a peak electric field. In 2011, it loss of energy by charged particles. This is very was found that in the presence of a strong reminiscent of the extensive atmospheric magnetic field H ≈ 10¹⁶ T from virtual particles showers generated by cosmic particles. They are of a quantum vacuum, relatively stable particles called S-cascades (from the English shower - a are formed (lifetime 16 · 10ˉ²³ sec.) [5]. At the shower) [2,3]. In this comparison of space same time, experiments show that if an external observations with the results of laboratory field acts on the vacuum, then the creation of studies demonstrates deep analogies, real particles is possible due to its energy evidencing, at a minimum, the unity of the [1,2,3]. Precisely because the vacuum is not a physical principles of the behavior of matter in a virtual but a real physical object (dark matter) wide range of densities and temperatures. and has a structure, the vacuum polarization Perhaps the creation of electron-positron pairs in leads not to virtual, but real radiation corrections a vacuum is a manifestation of the instability of to the laws of quantum electrodynamics [5]. dark matter. Today, according to the results of In the theory of gravitation, vacuum polarization the experiments at CERN, many physicists is also present, and theoretically it is manifested believe that dark matter is connected with the 16 Open Access Journal of Physics V2● 13 ● 2018 Polarization of Vacuum study of the microworld at the smallest if vacuum polarization is caused by the distances, and everything suggests that dark motion of relativistic proton or by a peak matter can act as a electric field strictly oriented in one vacuum in experiments in near-Earth space [6]. direction E The very definition of dark matter falls under An experimental confirmation of this could be the description of the properties of vacuum in the appearance of a flow of backward electrons quantum electrodynamics - not to radiate and be with a "soft" energy spectrum in multiwave invisible, to have mass and to possess a Cherenkov generators (MWCG). One of the structure, to exhibit elastic properties in the peculiarities of the work of MWCG using an propagation of electromagnetic waves. The electron beam of microsecond duration with an quantum structure of the vacuum is due to initial charged-particle energy Wₑ ~ 2 MeV and particles in the low-energy state. The instability a common current I ~ 20 kA is a relatively short of a vacuum under the influence of cosmic radiation pulse in the three-centimeter radiation, relativistic protons and electrons or wavelength range with a record power level of peak electric fields is a purely quantum up to 15 GW [9].
Recommended publications
  • The Five Common Particles
    The Five Common Particles The world around you consists of only three particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons form the nuclei of atoms, and electrons glue everything together and create chemicals and materials. Along with the photon and the neutrino, these particles are essentially the only ones that exist in our solar system, because all the other subatomic particles have half-lives of typically 10-9 second or less, and vanish almost the instant they are created by nuclear reactions in the Sun, etc. Particles interact via the four fundamental forces of nature. Some basic properties of these forces are summarized below. (Other aspects of the fundamental forces are also discussed in the Summary of Particle Physics document on this web site.) Force Range Common Particles It Affects Conserved Quantity gravity infinite neutron, proton, electron, neutrino, photon mass-energy electromagnetic infinite proton, electron, photon charge -14 strong nuclear force ≈ 10 m neutron, proton baryon number -15 weak nuclear force ≈ 10 m neutron, proton, electron, neutrino lepton number Every particle in nature has specific values of all four of the conserved quantities associated with each force. The values for the five common particles are: Particle Rest Mass1 Charge2 Baryon # Lepton # proton 938.3 MeV/c2 +1 e +1 0 neutron 939.6 MeV/c2 0 +1 0 electron 0.511 MeV/c2 -1 e 0 +1 neutrino ≈ 1 eV/c2 0 0 +1 photon 0 eV/c2 0 0 0 1) MeV = mega-electron-volt = 106 eV. It is customary in particle physics to measure the mass of a particle in terms of how much energy it would represent if it were converted via E = mc2.
    [Show full text]
  • Dispersion Relations in Loop Calculations
    LMU–07/96 MPI/PhT/96–055 hep–ph/9607255 July 1996 Dispersion Relations in Loop Calculations∗ Bernd A. Kniehl† Institut f¨ur Theoretische Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit¨at, Theresienstraße 37, 80333 Munich, Germany Abstract These lecture notes give a pedagogical introduction to the use of dispersion re- lations in loop calculations. We first derive dispersion relations which allow us to recover the real part of a physical amplitude from the knowledge of its absorptive part along the branch cut. In perturbative calculations, the latter may be con- structed by means of Cutkosky’s rule, which is briefly discussed. For illustration, we apply this procedure at one loop to the photon vacuum-polarization function induced by leptons as well as to the γff¯ vertex form factor generated by the ex- change of a massive vector boson between the two fermion legs. We also show how the hadronic contribution to the photon vacuum polarization may be extracted + from the total cross section of hadron production in e e− annihilation measured as a function of energy. Finally, we outline the application of dispersive techniques at the two-loop level, considering as an example the bosonic decay width of a high-mass Higgs boson. arXiv:hep-ph/9607255v1 8 Jul 1996 1 Introduction Dispersion relations (DR’s) provide a powerful tool for calculating higher-order radiative corrections. To evaluate the matrix element, fi, which describes the transition from some initial state, i , to some final state, f , via oneT or more loops, one can, in principle, adopt | i | i the following two-step procedure.
    [Show full text]
  • The Vacuum Polarization of a Charged Vector Field
    SOVIET PHYSICS JETP VOLUME 21, NUMBER 2 AUGUST, 1965 THE VACUUM POLARIZATION OF A CHARGED VECTOR FIELD V. S. VANYASHIN and M. V. TERENT'EV Submitted to JETP editor June 13, 1964; resubmitted October 10, 1964 J. Exptl. Theoret. Phys. (U.S.S.R.) 48, 565-573 (February, 1965) The nonlinear additions to the Lagrangian of a constant electromagnetic field, caused by the vacuum polarization of a charged vector field, are calculated in the special case in which the gyromagnetic ratio of the vector boson is equal to 2. The result is exact for an arbri­ trarily strong electromagnetic field, but does not take into account radiative corrections, which can play an important part in the unrenormalized electrodynamics of a vector boson. The anomalous character of the charge renormalization is pointed out. 1. INTRODUCTION IN recent times there have been frequent discus­ sions in the literature on the properties of the charged vector boson, which is a possible carrier virtual photons gives only small corrections to the of the weak interactions. At present all that is solution. If we are dealing with a vector particle, known is that if such a boson exists its mass must then we come into the domain of nonrenormal­ be larger than 1. 5 Be V. The theory of the electro­ izable theory and are not able to estimate in any magnetic interactions of such a particle encounters reasonable way the contribution of the virtual serious difficulties in connection with renormali­ photons to the processes represented in the figure. zation. Without touching on this difficult problem, Although this is a very important point, all we can we shall consider a problem, in our opinion not a do here is to express the hope that in cases in trivial one, in which the nonrenormalizable char­ which processes of this kind occur at small ener­ acter of the electrodynamics of the vector boson gies of the external field the radiative corrections makes no difference.
    [Show full text]
  • A Discussion on Characteristics of the Quantum Vacuum
    A Discussion on Characteristics of the Quantum Vacuum Harold \Sonny" White∗ NASA/Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Pkwy M/C EP411, Houston, TX (Dated: September 17, 2015) This paper will begin by considering the quantum vacuum at the cosmological scale to show that the gravitational coupling constant may be viewed as an emergent phenomenon, or rather a long wavelength consequence of the quantum vacuum. This cosmological viewpoint will be reconsidered on a microscopic scale in the presence of concentrations of \ordinary" matter to determine the impact on the energy state of the quantum vacuum. The derived relationship will be used to predict a radius of the hydrogen atom which will be compared to the Bohr radius for validation. The ramifications of this equation will be explored in the context of the predicted electron mass, the electrostatic force, and the energy density of the electric field around the hydrogen nucleus. It will finally be shown that this perturbed energy state of the quan- tum vacuum can be successfully modeled as a virtual electron-positron plasma, or the Dirac vacuum. PACS numbers: 95.30.Sf, 04.60.Bc, 95.30.Qd, 95.30.Cq, 95.36.+x I. BACKGROUND ON STANDARD MODEL OF COSMOLOGY Prior to developing the central theme of the paper, it will be useful to present the reader with an executive summary of the characteristics and mathematical relationships central to what is now commonly referred to as the standard model of Big Bang cosmology, the Friedmann-Lema^ıtre-Robertson-Walker metric. The Friedmann equations are analytic solutions of the Einstein field equations using the FLRW metric, and Equation(s) (1) show some commonly used forms that include the cosmological constant[1], Λ.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Stability of Classical Orbits of the Hydrogen Ground State in Stochastic Electrodynamics
    entropy Article On the Stability of Classical Orbits of the Hydrogen Ground State in Stochastic Electrodynamics Theodorus M. Nieuwenhuizen 1,2 1 Institute for Theoretical Physics, P.O. Box 94485, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; [email protected]; Tel.: +31-20-525-6332 2 International Institute of Physics, UFRG, Av. O. Gomes de Lima, 1722, 59078-400 Natal-RN, Brazil Academic Editors: Gregg Jaeger and Andrei Khrennikov Received: 19 February 2016; Accepted: 31 March 2016; Published: 13 April 2016 Abstract: De la Peña 1980 and Puthoff 1987 show that circular orbits in the hydrogen problem of Stochastic Electrodynamics connect to a stable situation, where the electron neither collapses onto the nucleus nor gets expelled from the atom. Although the Cole-Zou 2003 simulations support the stability, our recent numerics always lead to self-ionisation. Here the de la Peña-Puthoff argument is extended to elliptic orbits. For very eccentric orbits with energy close to zero and angular momentum below some not-small value, there is on the average a net gain in energy for each revolution, which explains the self-ionisation. Next, an 1/r2 potential is added, which could stem from a dipolar deformation of the nuclear charge by the electron at its moving position. This shape retains the analytical solvability. When it is enough repulsive, the ground state of this modified hydrogen problem is predicted to be stable. The same conclusions hold for positronium. Keywords: Stochastic Electrodynamics; hydrogen ground state; stability criterion PACS: 11.10; 05.20; 05.30; 03.65 1. Introduction Stochastic Electrodynamics (SED) is a subquantum theory that considers the quantum vacuum as a true physical vacuum with its zero-point modes being physical electromagnetic modes (see [1,2]).
    [Show full text]
  • Lesson 1: the Single Electron Atom: Hydrogen
    Lesson 1: The Single Electron Atom: Hydrogen Irene K. Metz, Joseph W. Bennett, and Sara E. Mason (Dated: July 24, 2018) Learning Objectives: 1. Utilize quantum numbers and atomic radii information to create input files and run a single-electron calculation. 2. Learn how to read the log and report files to obtain atomic orbital information. 3. Plot the all-electron wavefunction to determine where the electron is likely to be posi- tioned relative to the nucleus. Before doing this exercise, be sure to read through the Ins and Outs of Operation document. So, what do we need to build an atom? Protons, neutrons, and electrons of course! But the mass of a proton is 1800 times greater than that of an electron. Therefore, based on de Broglie’s wave equation, the wavelength of an electron is larger when compared to that of a proton. In other words, the wave-like properties of an electron are important whereas we think of protons and neutrons as particle-like. The separation of the electron from the nucleus is called the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. So now we need the wave-like description of the Hydrogen electron. Hydrogen is the simplest atom on the periodic table and the most abundant element in the universe, and therefore the perfect starting point for atomic orbitals and energies. The compu- tational tool we are going to use is called OPIUM (silly name, right?). Before we get started, we should know what’s needed to create an input file, which OPIUM calls a parameter files. Each parameter file consist of a sequence of ”keyblocks”, containing sets of related parameters.
    [Show full text]
  • The Casimir-Polder Effect and Quantum Friction Across Timescales Handelt Es Sich Um Meine Eigen- Ständig Erbrachte Leistung
    THECASIMIR-POLDEREFFECT ANDQUANTUMFRICTION ACROSSTIMESCALES JULIANEKLATT Physikalisches Institut Fakultät für Mathematik und Physik Albert-Ludwigs-Universität THECASIMIR-POLDEREFFECTANDQUANTUMFRICTION ACROSSTIMESCALES DISSERTATION zu Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Fakultät für Mathematik und Physik Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg im Breisgau vorgelegt von Juliane Klatt 2017 DEKAN: Prof. Dr. Gregor Herten BETREUERDERARBEIT: Dr. Stefan Yoshi Buhmann GUTACHTER: Dr. Stefan Yoshi Buhmann Prof. Dr. Tanja Schilling TAGDERVERTEIDIGUNG: 11.07.2017 PRÜFER: Prof. Dr. Jens Timmer Apl. Prof. Dr. Bernd von Issendorff Dr. Stefan Yoshi Buhmann © 2017 Those years, when the Lamb shift was the central theme of physics, were golden years for all the physicists of my generation. You were the first to see that this tiny shift, so elusive and hard to measure, would clarify our thinking about particles and fields. — F. J. Dyson on occasion of the 65th birthday of W. E. Lamb, Jr. [54] Man kann sich darüber streiten, ob die Welt aus Atomen aufgebaut ist, oder aus Geschichten. — R. D. Precht [165] ABSTRACT The quantum vacuum is subject to continuous spontaneous creation and annihi- lation of matter and radiation. Consequently, an atom placed in vacuum is being perturbed through the interaction with such fluctuations. This results in the Lamb shift of atomic levels and spontaneous transitions between atomic states — the properties of the atom are being shaped by the vacuum. Hence, if the latter is be- ing shaped itself, then this reflects in the atomic features and dynamics. A prime example is the Casimir-Polder effect where a macroscopic body, introduced to the vacuum in which the atom resides, causes a position dependence of the Lamb shift.
    [Show full text]
  • Moment of Inertia of Superconductors
    Moment of inertia of superconductors J. E. Hirsch Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093-0319 We find that the bulk moment of inertia per unit volume of a metal becoming superconducting 2 2 increases by the amount me/(πrc), with me the bare electron mass and rc = e /mec the classical 2 electron radius. This is because superfluid electrons acquire an intrinsic moment of inertia me(2λL) , with λL the London penetration depth. As a consequence, we predict that when a rotating long cylinder becomes superconducting its angular velocity does not change, contrary to the prediction of conventional BCS-London theory that it will rotate faster. We explain the dynamics of magnetic field generation when a rotating normal metal becomes superconducting. PACS numbers: I. INTRODUCTION and is called the “London moment”. In this paper we propose that this effect reveals fundamental physics of A superconducting body rotating with angular veloc- superconductors not predicted by conventional BCS the- ity ~ω develops a uniform magnetic field throughout its ory [3, 4]. For a preliminary treatment where we argued interior, given by that BCS theory is inconsistent with the London moment we refer the reader to our earlier work [5]. Other non- 2m c B~ = − e ~ω ≡ B(ω)ˆω (1) conventional explanations of the London moment have e also been proposed [6, 7]. with e (< 0) the electron charge, and me the bare electron Eq. (1) has been verified experimentally for a variety mass. Numerically, B =1.137 × 10−7ω, with B in Gauss of superconductors [8–15].
    [Show full text]
  • 1.1. Introduction the Phenomenon of Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy
    PRINCIPLES OF POSITRON ANNIHILATION Chapter-1 __________________________________________________________________________________________ 1.1. Introduction The phenomenon of positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) has been utilized as nuclear method to probe a variety of material properties as well as to research problems in solid state physics. The field of solid state investigation with positrons started in the early fifties, when it was recognized that information could be obtained about the properties of solids by studying the annihilation of a positron and an electron as given by Dumond et al. [1] and Bendetti and Roichings [2]. In particular, the discovery of the interaction of positrons with defects in crystal solids by Mckenize et al. [3] has given a strong impetus to a further elaboration of the PAS. Currently, PAS is amongst the best nuclear methods, and its most recent developments are documented in the proceedings of the latest positron annihilation conferences [4-8]. PAS is successfully applied for the investigation of electron characteristics and defect structures present in materials, magnetic structures of solids, plastic deformation at low and high temperature, and phase transformations in alloys, semiconductors, polymers, porous material, etc. Its applications extend from advanced problems of solid state physics and materials science to industrial use. It is also widely used in chemistry, biology, and medicine (e.g. locating tumors). As the process of measurement does not mostly influence the properties of the investigated sample, PAS is a non-destructive testing approach that allows the subsequent study of a sample by other methods. As experimental equipment for many applications, PAS is commercially produced and is relatively cheap, thus, increasingly more research laboratories are using PAS for basic research, diagnostics of machine parts working in hard conditions, and for characterization of high-tech materials.
    [Show full text]
  • A Young Physicist's Guide to the Higgs Boson
    A Young Physicist’s Guide to the Higgs Boson Tel Aviv University Future Scientists – CERN Tour Presented by Stephen Sekula Associate Professor of Experimental Particle Physics SMU, Dallas, TX Programme ● You have a problem in your theory: (why do you need the Higgs Particle?) ● How to Make a Higgs Particle (One-at-a-Time) ● How to See a Higgs Particle (Without fooling yourself too much) ● A View from the Shadows: What are the New Questions? (An Epilogue) Stephen J. Sekula - SMU 2/44 You Have a Problem in Your Theory Credit for the ideas/example in this section goes to Prof. Daniel Stolarski (Carleton University) The Usual Explanation Usual Statement: “You need the Higgs Particle to explain mass.” 2 F=ma F=G m1 m2 /r Most of the mass of matter lies in the nucleus of the atom, and most of the mass of the nucleus arises from “binding energy” - the strength of the force that holds particles together to form nuclei imparts mass-energy to the nucleus (ala E = mc2). Corrected Statement: “You need the Higgs Particle to explain fundamental mass.” (e.g. the electron’s mass) E2=m2 c4+ p2 c2→( p=0)→ E=mc2 Stephen J. Sekula - SMU 4/44 Yes, the Higgs is important for mass, but let’s try this... ● No doubt, the Higgs particle plays a role in fundamental mass (I will come back to this point) ● But, as students who’ve been exposed to introductory physics (mechanics, electricity and magnetism) and some modern physics topics (quantum mechanics and special relativity) you are more familiar with..
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the LOCALIZED QUANTUM VACUUM FIELD D. Dragoman
    1 THE LOCALIZED QUANTUM VACUUM FIELD D. Dragoman – Univ. Bucharest, Physics Dept., P.O. Box MG-11, 077125 Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT A model for the localized quantum vacuum is proposed in which the zero-point energy of the quantum electromagnetic field originates in energy- and momentum-conserving transitions of material systems from their ground state to an unstable state with negative energy. These transitions are accompanied by emissions and re-absorptions of real photons, which generate a localized quantum vacuum in the neighborhood of material systems. The model could help resolve the cosmological paradox associated to the zero-point energy of electromagnetic fields, while reclaiming quantum effects associated with quantum vacuum such as the Casimir effect and the Lamb shift; it also offers a new insight into the Zitterbewegung of material particles. 2 INTRODUCTION The zero-point energy (ZPE) of the quantum electromagnetic field is at the same time an indispensable concept of quantum field theory and a controversial issue (see [1] for an excellent review of the subject). The need of the ZPE has been recognized from the beginning of quantum theory of radiation, since only the inclusion of this term assures no first-order temperature-independent correction to the average energy of an oscillator in thermal equilibrium with blackbody radiation in the classical limit of high temperatures. A more rigorous introduction of the ZPE stems from the treatment of the electromagnetic radiation as an ensemble of harmonic quantum oscillators. Then, the total energy of the quantum electromagnetic field is given by E = åk,s hwk (nks +1/ 2) , where nks is the number of quantum oscillators (photons) in the (k,s) mode that propagate with wavevector k and frequency wk =| k | c = kc , and are characterized by the polarization index s.
    [Show full text]
  • Dynamic Quantum Vacuum and Relativity
    Dynamic Quantum Vacuum and Relativity Davide Fiscaletti*, Amrit Sorli** *SpaceLife Institute, San Lorenzo in Campo (PU), Italy **Foundations of Physics Institute, Idrija, Slovenia [email protected] [email protected] Abstract A model of a three-dimensional quantum vacuum with variable energy density is proposed. In this model, time we measure with clocks is only a mathematical parameter of material changes, i.e. motion in quantum vacuum. Inertial mass and gravitational mass have origin in dynamics between a given particle or massive body and diminished energy density of quantum vacuum. Each elementary particle is a structure of quantum vacuum and diminishes quantum vacuum energy density. Symmetry “particle – diminished energy density of quantum vacuum” is the fundamental symmetry of the universe which gives origin to mass and gravity. Special relativity’s Sagnac effect in GPS system and important predictions of general relativity such as precessions of the planets, the Shapiro time delay of light signals in a gravitational field and the geodetic and frame-dragging effects recently tested by Gravity Probe B, have origin in the dynamics of the quantum vacuum which rotates with the earth. Gravitational constant GN and velocity of light c have small deviations of their value which are related to the variable energy density of quantum vacuum. Key words: energy density of quantum vacuum, Sagnac effect, relativity, dark energy, Mercury precession, symmetry, gravitational constant. PACS numbers: 04. ; 04.20-q ; 04.50.Kd ; 04.60.-m. 1. Introduction The idea of 19th century physics that space is filled with “ether” did not get experimental prove in order to remain a valid concept of today physics.
    [Show full text]