Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jul 19, 2005 3:10:29 GMT -6
Zero-Point Field
Recently, I had the pleasure of discussing Zero-Point Field Theory with a pretty lady, and I felt it was a good topic here at the Chicago Astronomer...
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The Zero-Point Field (ZPF) is said to exist in a vacuum -- what is commonly thought of as empty space -- at a temperature of absolute zero (where all thermal radiation is absent; a condition obtained when reaching a temperature of absolute zero on the Kelvin scale).
The background energy of the vacuum serves as the reference, or zero point, for all processes. Theoretical considerations indicate the ZPF should be a background sea of electromagnetic radiation that is both uniform and isotropic (the same in all directions).
The uniform and isotropic nature of the ZPF is important, and explains why it is not readily observed. Fundamentally, the lack of asymmetry of the ZPF prevents its easy identification, just as a fish being absolutely still in a sea of constant temperature and pressure water is unable to detect the water itself.
In some cases, motion through a medium can give rise to asymmetries, thus in turn allowing for the detection of the medium. However, in the case of the ZPF, motion through the “medium” (i.e. the field) at a constant velocity has not been shown to make the field detectable. This is because the field has the property of being "Lorentz invariant." (Lorentz invariance is a critical difference between the modern ZPF and nineteenth-century concepts of an ether.) In fact, the ZPF becomes detectable only when a body is accelerated through space.
There is, of course, a fundamental difference between “detectable” and “useable”. It is likely necessary to go beyond a simple, constant acceleration through space (in order to detect the ZPF), and instead, transition into a variable acceleration in order to tap into the energy of the ZPF. In this case, we can assume with a reasonable confidence that the greater the change in acceleration, the greater the energy derived from the ZPF.
The background energy of the vacuum serves as the reference, or zero point, for all processes. Theoretical considerations indicate the ZPF should be a background sea of electromagnetic radiation that is both uniform and isotropic (the same in all directions).
The uniform and isotropic nature of the ZPF is important, and explains why it is not readily observed. Fundamentally, the lack of asymmetry of the ZPF prevents its easy identification, just as a fish being absolutely still in a sea of constant temperature and pressure water is unable to detect the water itself.
In some cases, motion through a medium can give rise to asymmetries, thus in turn allowing for the detection of the medium. However, in the case of the ZPF, motion through the “medium” (i.e. the field) at a constant velocity has not been shown to make the field detectable. This is because the field has the property of being "Lorentz invariant." (Lorentz invariance is a critical difference between the modern ZPF and nineteenth-century concepts of an ether.) In fact, the ZPF becomes detectable only when a body is accelerated through space.
There is, of course, a fundamental difference between “detectable” and “useable”. It is likely necessary to go beyond a simple, constant acceleration through space (in order to detect the ZPF), and instead, transition into a variable acceleration in order to tap into the energy of the ZPF. In this case, we can assume with a reasonable confidence that the greater the change in acceleration, the greater the energy derived from the ZPF.
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I think that this is quite an interesting field of study...it's almost like a Seinfeld episode...the study of nothing.
Graviton waves, exotic rays, and even phenomenon we don't even know about yet is all about the serenity of the surrounding environment.
Shhh!
