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The Vacuum Catastrophe - Zero-Point Energy

The zero-point field is the lowest possible state of quantum electromagnetic fluctuations that remains even at absolute zero temperature, as predicted by quantum electrodynamics (QED). This zero-point field contains virtual photons and has enormous energy density that causes problems in general relativity. While a cutoff reduces the calculated energy density, it introduces conflicts with special relativity since the cutoff value depends on the observer's velocity. Resolving the inconsistency between the predicted zero-point energy density and theories like general relativity remains an open problem in modern physics.

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Ilija Shatanovski
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59 views2 pages

The Vacuum Catastrophe - Zero-Point Energy

The zero-point field is the lowest possible state of quantum electromagnetic fluctuations that remains even at absolute zero temperature, as predicted by quantum electrodynamics (QED). This zero-point field contains virtual photons and has enormous energy density that causes problems in general relativity. While a cutoff reduces the calculated energy density, it introduces conflicts with special relativity since the cutoff value depends on the observer's velocity. Resolving the inconsistency between the predicted zero-point energy density and theories like general relativity remains an open problem in modern physics.

Uploaded by

Ilija Shatanovski
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Vacuum Catastrophe - Zero-Point

Energy 
"...If you have a hot body in equilibrium with its
surroundings, it is radiating and reabsorbing
photons (quantized bundles of electromagnetic
radiation) of all wavelengths. The energy of a
photon of frequency f is Planck's constant h times
the frequency hf . The energy distribution of
these photons is given by the Planck blackbody
equation. If you imagine cooling the body and
surroundings to absolute zero, you would find
that a temperature independent electromagnetic field remained. This electromagnetic
field, which is always present even if no matter or charged particles are present and the
temperature is absolute zero, represents the lowest state of the electromagnetic field.
The corresponding fluctuating electromagnetic field is called the zero-point (ZP) field of
the electromagnetic field. The presence of this zero-point field is predicted by QED
(Quantum Electrodynamics).

QED is the most precise physical theory we have; its predictions have been
verified to 1 part in 10 billion! The zero-point field is the "ground state" of the
electromagnetic field. In this ground state, the equations indicate that no
ordinary physical photons are present, yet electromagnetic energy is present.
The energy for a given frequency is ½ hf , one half of the usual energy of a
photon. Sometimes the zero-point field is described as consisting of "virtual"
or very short-lived photons, that appear and disappear before it is possible to
detect them. The presence of zero-point fluctuations has been verified
experimentally with very accurate measurements of the Lamb Shift, other
atomic energy level shifts, the magnetic moment of the electron, and the
Casimir force. QED predicts that the number of ZP quanta (½ hf ) of frequency
f is proportional to the square of the frequency. This gives an energy density
for the vacuum that goes as the cube of the frequency.

As mentioned above, the enormous density of the vacuum energy appears to


cause severe conceptual problems in general relativity since the energy
couples with gravity. We can reduce the zero-point energy by the use of a
larger cutoff wavelength. One choice for the short wavelength limit is the
Compton wavelength of the proton as suggested by Nobel Laureate physicist
Richard Feynman. The energy density is then reduced to about 10**35
joules/cubic-meter corresponding to an equivalent mass density of 10**12
kg/cc. To appreciate the enormity of this number, compare it to the chemical
energy of a fuel, 10**15 joules/cubic meter, to the energy density of matter,
10**20 joules/cubic meter, and to the energy density of a nucleus, 10**30
joules/cubic meter.
This energy density is still very large, but does look better from the viewpoint
of general relativity. However, now the bad news. The use of a cut-off is
actually in conflict with special relativity, because the value of the cutoff will
depend on the velocity of the rest frame of the observer. This would mean that
the vacuum energy density would depend on your relative motion, which is a
violation of special relativity. So again we have an inconsistency between well
verified theories.

Another approach might lie in a reinterpretation of Mach's principle. In the


spirit of Mach’s principle the mass of an object is interpreted as the effective
gravitational attraction of the object to all the rest of the matter or energy in the
universe. Perhaps the vacuum energy needs to be included in this
formulation. Many think that a new theory of quantum gravity is needed to
resolve these conflicts.

At this time there is no consistent interpretation of the zero-point energy density in


empty space. … It’s an embarrassment to physicists to have such a conflict between
such well verified and accepted theories. In fact it is so painful, that most physicists
don’t even want to think about it…" (courtesy zpenergy.com) - The Vacuum
Catastrophe - Zero-Point Energy

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