Indexक्वांटमSticker

Casimira

Casimir Effect Physics

\[\frac{F}{A} = -\frac{\pi^2\hbar c}{240\,d^4}\]
सामान्य कीमत $4.99 USD
सामान्य कीमत सेल कीमत $4.99 USD
सेल बिक चुका
Size
Surface

Can empty space pull mirrors together? Two uncharged, parallel conducting plates a gap d apart attract with a pressure of π²ħc/(240 d⁴), about 1.3 millipascals at 1 µm. Hendrik Casimir predicted it in 1948, and Lamoreaux measured it in 1997. Whether it shows vacuum energy is debated, since Jaffe derived it without that picture in 2005. A 3" pixel-art sticker; equation, symbols and sources in the physics panel below.

Shipping calculated at checkout by destinationMade to order, ships in 2–5 business days

Details

Size3″ × 3″

3″ × 3″ kiss-cut sticker.

Shipping

Shipping calculated at checkout by destination. Printed to order for you.

Delivery times & where we ship

Returns & replacements21 days

Every item is printed to order, so we can’t accept returns or exchanges for change of mind, or if you ordered the wrong size or colour.

Print defect, misprint, damage or the wrong item? We’ll send a free replacement, or a refund if you prefer. Report it within 21 days of delivery with a photo; no need to send it back.

Full refund & replacement policy

The physics

Quantum vacuum fluctuations between two close, parallel, uncharged metal plates are restricted, so the plates are pulled together. The pressure falls off as one over the fourth power of their separation.

Casimira stands between two uncharged mirrors and braces them apart, because they pull toward each other.

For ideal parallel conducting plates a gap d apart, the attraction per unit area is π²ħc/(240 d⁴). At d = 1 µm that is about 1.3 mPa; at 100 nm it is 10,000 times larger.

On the sticker the cyan wiggles outside are field modes of every wavelength; between the plates only modes that fit the gap survive (amber). The magenta arrows show the net push inward.

The force has been measured, starting with Lamoreaux in 1997. Calling it a push from vacuum energy is the popular picture; Jaffe (2005) showed it can also be derived without it, so the interpretation is debated.

Nothing pushes in.

Equations

\[\frac{F}{A} = -\frac{\pi^2\hbar c}{240\,d^4}\]
Symbols
SymbolMeaningUnit
\(F/A\) force per unit area between the plates (negative = attractive) \(\mathrm{Pa}\)
\(\hbar\) reduced Planck constant \(\mathrm{J s}\)
\(c\) speed of light \(\mathrm{m/s}\)
\(d\) gap between the plates \(\mathrm{m}\)

Sources

  1. Casimir, H. B. G. (1948) On the attraction between two perfectly conducting plates, Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet. 51, 793
  2. Lamoreaux, S. K. (1997) Demonstration of the Casimir force in the 0.6 to 6 µm range, Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 5
  3. Jaffe, R. L. (2005) Casimir effect and the quantum vacuum, Phys. Rev. D 72, 021301
  4. Wikipedia, Casimir effect (opens in a new tab)

Source Casimir, H. B. G. (1948). On the attraction between two perfectly conducting plates. Proceedings of the Section of Sciences, Koninklijke Nederlandsche Akademie van Wetenschappen, 51, 793–795.