Dynamical Casimir Effect in a Cavity

Illustration of the dynamical Casimir Effect.

Quantum field theory (QFT) predicts that an oscillating uncharged mirror in free space (vacuum) generates electromagnetic radiation (photons), i.e., it shines. This effect does not have an analogue in classical physics, where all electromagnetic radiation is generated by moving charges (e.g., electrons). The photon creation process predicted by QFT is due to the interaction between the time-dependent boundary condition, imposed by the moving mirror, and the quantum mechanical vacuum fluctuations. Kinetic energy of the moving mirror is transferred to the electromagnetic field due to this interaction, and virtual vacuum photons are upconverted to real photons that propogates away from the mirror.

The dynamical Casimir effect has a solid theoretical foundation, but it has not yet been observed in experiments. The main reason is the experimental difficulties in moving the mirror sufficiently fast to generate a detectable amount of photons. However, in recent years realistic experimental proposals have been presented, and experimental verification of the dynamical Casimir effect is likely within the near future.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Physics
• Casimir
• DCE
• Photons
• Blender
• 3D

[lbarzilai]

Latest (2011) experiment used not a regular "mirror", per this on abc.net.au: "o achieve the effect, the mirror needs to be moving close to the speed of light, 300,000 kilometres per second in a vacuum 'In practical terms that's impossible because it would take the output of a nuclear power plant to accelerate a mirror to such high velocities," says Duty.

So not a "regular mirror", JavaLuCpp

[lbarzilai]

Latest (2011) experiment used not a regular "mirror", per this on abc.net.au: "o achieve the effect, the mirror needs to be moving close to the speed of light, 300,000 kilometres per second in a vacuum 'In practical terms that's impossible because it would take the output of a nuclear power plant to accelerate a mirror to such high velocities," says Duty.

'So instead, we used a tiny microcircuit called a superconducting quantum interference device, or SQUID'"

[mooviies]

@JavaLuCpp Here is the article on nature website : nature dot com/nature/journal/v479/n7373/­full/nature10561.html

[JavaLuCpp]

@mooviies Hooolllyyyy..... REALLY??? WOW. MIND BLOWN ---(* _ *)--->

What kind of mirror did they use? is regular physical mirror with AU/AL coating or .... What type oh photon did they manage to measure??? This is..... Can i haz sauce?

[mooviies]

@JavaLuCpp They actually did it. A group of researcher manage to make the mirror vibrate aat 1/4 the speed of light and the mesured it. It was not in the visible light range thought.

[tomasek262]

Quantum physics is amazing ... love it

[khyar]

wow, I completely forgot I had seen this 1yr ago! A new working device using this effect was on the "news" last week! Here is a link: sciencedaily . com/releases/2011/11/111118133­050 . htm

[JavaLuCpp]

@khyar The mirror has to move at near speed of light. Light irradiance is barely measurable, also it depend on the amount of energy you put in you could get other particles other than photons. This is conducted in a Vacuum space. So to regular physics, you are creating elements out of nothing far as i m concerned.

[JavaLuCpp]

@trent9222 I believe this is just a theory concept video. There is no way a physical mirror can do this. The movement has to be conducted near light speed to lead out the virtual partials from the vacuum. Some sort of alternative quantum light reflective has to be used in this case.

[trent9222]

Great video. What is the actual distance between the mirrors to see any movement?