Martes

Cuan+co

Efecto Casimir
M. Asorey

Colloidal forces
Van der Waals forces
London theory (1930)
3 0 2
V (r) =
4 r6

Verwey-Oberbeek (1947) Exp.

Casimir-Polder (1948)
23 c 2
V (r) =
4 r7

Colloidal forces
London theory (1930)
3 0
V (r) =
48 r3

Casimir-Polder (1948)
3 c
V (r) =
8 r4

Mathematics. - On the attraction between two perfectly conducting

plates. By H . B. G. CASIMIR.
(Communicated at the meeting of M ay 29. 1948.)

In a recent paper by POLDER and CASIMIR 1) it is shown that the interaction between a perfectly conducting plate and an atom or molecule with
a static polarizibility a is in the limit of large distances R given by

3
a
JE=- -- hc 8n
R4
and that the interaction between two particles with statie polarizibilities
al and a2 is given in that limit by

dE=- 23

'in

These formulae are obtained by taking the usual VAN DER W AALSLONDON forces as a starting point and correcting for retardation effects.
In a communication to the "Colloque sur la thorie de la liaison chimique" (Paris. 12-17 April. 1948) the present au thor was able to show
that these expressions mayalso be derived through studying by means of
classical electrodynamics the change of electromagnetic zero point energy.
In this note we shall apply the same method to the interaction between
two perfectly conducting plates.

Mathematics. - On the attraction between two perfectly conducting

plates. By H . B. G. CASIMIR.
795
(Communicated at the
meeting of M ay 29. 1948.)
In higher
a recentderivatives
paper by will
POLDER
and powers
CASIMIRof1)(:rit/aiskm)
shown
thatwethefind
interThe
contain
. Thus
action between a perfectly conducting plate
and
;n2
I an atom or molecule with
a static polarizibility a<l is
in the limit
of X-SO
large. distances
R given by
EI U
h c 24
3'

=-

3 1. Fora the force per cm:! we find

a formula which holds as longJE=as ale lil -hc 8n

R4

I
I
2
F
he
240
a
0.013
a;L
dyne/cm
1
and that the interaction between two particles with statie polarizibilities
al and a2 is given in that limit by
where
alt is the distance measured in microns .

;n2

We are thus led to the following

conclusions.
There exists an attractive
795
dE=23
'inis independent of the material of
force between two metal plates which
the
plates
as longare
as will
the contain
distance
is
so large
that
wave
. lengths
The
higher
derivatives
ofthe
(:r /a
km) for
. VAN
Thus
we
find
These
formulae
obtained
by powers
taking
usual
DER
W AALScomparable
with that
penetration
depth is for
small
compared with
LONDON forces
as a distance
starting the
point
and
retardation
effects.
;n2 correcting
I
the distance. This force
may be hinterpreted
zero point pressure of
<l EItoU
c 24 X-SO
In a communication
the "Colloque
sur.asla3 'athorie
de la liaison chimielectromagnetic waves.
que" (Paris. 12-17 April. 1948) the present au thor was able to show
a formula
which
as aleanlil experimental
1. For the confirmation
force per cm:!seems
we find
Although
theholds
effectas islong
smalI,
not
that these expressions mayalso be derived through studying by means of
unfeasable and might be of;n2a certain
interest.
I
I
2
classical electrodynamics the change of electromagnetic
zero point energy.
F
he 240 a 1
0.013 a;L dyne/cm
In this note we shall apply
the same method
to the der
interaction
between
Natuurkundig
Laboratorium
N.V. Philips'
where
alt is the distance
measured
microns .
two perfectly
conducting
plates.inGloeilampenfabrieken.
Eindhoven .)

=-

795 795

Mathematics. - On the attraction between two perfectly conducting

plates. By
H . B. G.will
CASIMIR.
The higher
derivatives
contain powers of (:r /a km) . Thus we find

er derivatives will contain powers of (:r /a km) . Thus we

(Communicated at the meeting ;n2
of M ay 29.
I 1948.)

=-

<l EI U
h c ;n2
24 X-SO . I3 '
In a recent paper by POLDER and CASIMIR 1) it is shown that the inter' force per cm:! we find
<l aEI
U
hascale24lil plate1. and
3 atom
a formula
which
holds as long
For an
the
action
between
perfectly
conducting
or molecule with
a static polarizibility a is in the
;n2 limit
I of large I distances 2R given by
which holds as long
1. For
the force per cm:! we
F as
he ale
240lila 1
0.013
a;L dyne/cm

=-

X-SO . a

3
a
JE=- -- hc ;n2 measured
I
IR4.
is the distance
in8nmicrons

where alt
2
led 240
to thebetween
Therestatie
existspolarizibilities
an attractive
F
he
afollowing
0.013
dyne/cm
1
and We
thatare
thethus
interaction
twoconclusions.
particles
with
force between two metal plates which is independent of the material of
al and a2 is given in that limit by
the distance
plates as long
as the distance
is so . large that for wave . lengths
is the
measured
in microns
dE=23
comparable with that distance
the penetration
depth is small compared with
'in
thustheled
to the
following
exists
an attrac
distance.
This
force may conclusions.
be interpreted as There
a zero point
pressure
of
These
are
obtained
by taking
the usual VAN of
DERthe
W AALSelectromagnetic
ween
twoformulae
metalwaves.
plates
which
is independent
materia
LONDON
forcesthe
as effect
a starting
pointanand
correcting confirmation
for retardation
effects.
Although
is smalI,
experimental
seems
not
as Inlong
as
the
distance
is
so
large
that
for
wave
. leng
a
communication
to
the
"Colloque
sur
la
thorie
de
la
liaison
chimiunfeasable and might be of a certain interest.
e with
the 1948)
penetration
depth
small
w
que" that
(Paris.distance
12-17 April.
the present
au thoris was
ablecompared
to show
Natuurkundig
der N.V.
Philips'
these force
expressions
be derived Laboratorium
through
studying
by means
of
ce.that
This
maymayalso
be interpreted
as
a
zero
point
pressure
.)
classical electrodynamics the changeGloeilampenfabrieken.
of electromagnetic zeroEindhoven
point energy.
gnetic
waves.
In this
note we shall apply the same method to the interaction between

a;L

795 795

Mathematics. - On the attraction between two perfectly conducting

plates. By
H . B. G.will
CASIMIR.
The higher
derivatives
contain powers of (:r /a km) . Thus we find

er derivatives will contain powers of (:r /a km) . Thus we

(Communicated at the meeting ;n2
of M ay 29.
I 1948.)

=-

<l EI U
h c ;n2
24 X-SO . I3 '
In a recent paper by POLDER and CASIMIR 1) it is shown that the inter' force per cm:! we find
<l aEI
U
hascale24lil plate1. and
3 atom
a formula
which
holds as long
For an
the
action
between
perfectly
conducting
or molecule with
a static polarizibility a is in the
;n2 limit
I of large I distances 2R given by
which holds as long
1. For
the force per cm:! we
F as
he ale
240lila 1
0.013
a;L dyne/cm

=-

X-SO . a

3
a
JE=- -- hc ;n2 measured
I
IR4.
is the distance
in8nmicrons

where alt
2
led 240
to thebetween
Therestatie
existspolarizibilities
an attractive
F
he
afollowing
0.013
dyne/cm
1
and We
thatare
thethus
interaction
twoconclusions.
particles
with
force between two metal plates which is independent of the material of
al and a2 is given in that limit by
the distance
plates as long
as the distance
is so . large that for wave . lengths
is the
measured
in microns
dE=23
comparable with that distance
the penetration
depth is small compared with
'in
thustheled
to the
following
exists
an attrac
distance.
This
force may conclusions.
be interpreted as There
a zero point
pressure
of
These
are
obtained
by taking
the usual VAN of
DERthe
W AALSelectromagnetic
ween
twoformulae
metalwaves.
plates
which
is independent
materia
LONDON
forcesthe
as effect
a starting
pointanand
correcting confirmation
for retardation
effects.
Although
is smalI,
experimental
seems
not
as Inlong
as
the
distance
is
so
large
that
for
wave
. leng
a
communication
to
the
"Colloque
sur
la
thorie
de
la
liaison
chimiunfeasable and might be of a certain interest.
e with
the 1948)
penetration
depth
small
w
que" that
(Paris.distance
12-17 April.
the present
au thoris was
ablecompared
to show
Natuurkundig
der N.V.
Philips'
these force
expressions
be derived Laboratorium
through
studying
by means
of
ce.that
This
maymayalso
be interpreted
as
a
zero
point
pressure
.)
classical electrodynamics the changeGloeilampenfabrieken.
of electromagnetic zeroEindhoven
point energy.
gnetic
waves.
In this
note we shall apply the same method to the interaction between

=-

=-

a;L

<l EI U

=-

;n2

h c 24 X-SO

which holds as long as ale lil

I
-he 240 a 1

;n2

a3 '

1. For the force per cm:! we

=-0.013

a;L dyne/cm

is the distance measured in microns .

thus led to the following conclusions. There exists an attrac
The metal
formula
only which
depends
n h, c and a of the materia
ween two
plates
is o
independent
as long
asinus
thesign
distance
so F large
that for wave . leng
The m
means isthat
it is aPrac+ve
e with that distance the penetration depth is small compared w
The force is the dominant force between
ce. This force may be interpreted as a zero point pressure
nwaves.
eutral objects a submicron distances
gnetic
gh the effect is smalI, an experimental confirmation seems
At a=10nm the Casimir force equals the
e and might be of a certain interest.

atmospheric pressure

Natuurkundig Laboratorium der N.V. Phil

Origin of Casimir force

Modica+on of vacuum (zero-point) energy

due to the presence of the plates

E
c
0
=
A

E
=
A
0 =

c e

kx2 + ky2 + kz2

c =

0 e

kx2 + ky2 +

nc 2

4
2
Ec c

2
=
a
+
f

2
A
8
720 a3

Impact of Casimir paper

SKL

Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet. 51, 793 (1948)

90
80

Total Citations for Year

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1940

1950

1960

1970

1980
Year

1990

2000

2010

A strong current of freshly distilled, filtered alcohol was

gh the gap between the plates m, where t h e y were a few mm:
alternating voltage (10-40 volt) was applied. The initial
the system was dust free pure nitrogen gas. After alcohol was
ff and trapped b y liquid air, the result, which depended on the
alcohol, was generally the same as that obtained after rubbing.

Casimir eect experiments

Residual square frequency shift (Hz2 )

VOLUME 88, NUMBER 4

0./5

1-

I
0.1

I
I
I
\

0.05

aOl
0.5

J,____ ~
1.5
+--2-+
+ '--~--+ - - ~ l d in i~

PHYSICAL R

-1000

-2000

-3000

0.5

1.5

2.5

d ( m)

FIG. 4. Observation of the Casimir force. Residuals of th

square frequency shift versus the gap distance and best fit wit
x
x c h r o m i u m steel o
O chromium
. U n(3).
c e r t a iThe
n t y offitt h eis done by considering
Onofrio 2003the points at the nin
Eq.
f t h e distance b e t w
e e n t h e plates
by drawing horizontal
Sparnaay
1958is i n d i c a t e d smallest
distances (0.5 1.1 mm region), and includes the est
points. A n y given m e a s u r e m e n t was often repeated. S o m e repulsions
mated relation
errors,(eq.
coming
from the parameters Cel , d0 , and V0 , bot
u m plates are also given. ( +
+ ) . - . . . . . Casimir's
1).

Casimir eect plane-sphere

R

cR
E =
360 a2

geometry, the explored range of distances, the claimed accuracy, and the first
author and reference are reported. The claimed accuracy is the one quoted by
each group, however it often corresponds to different definitions with different
statistical meanings. In the experiment by Sparnaay repulsive forces were
observed between aluminum surfaces, while the quoted accuracies for the van
Blokland and the Lamoreaux experiments have to be considered as reliable only
at the smallest distances. Whenever there was a sequel of experiments by the same
group, the quoted reference is for the first reported data set.

Casimir eect experiments

Year

Geometry

Range (m) Accuracy (%)

Reference

1958
1978
1997
1998
2000
2001
2002
2003

Planeplane
Planesphere
Planesphere
Planesphere
Crossed cylinders
Planesphere
Planeplane
Planesphere

0.3 2.5
0.13 0.67
0.6 12.3
0.1 0.9
0.02 0.1
0.08 1.0
0.5 3.0
0.2 2.0

1958
Sparnaay [64]
van Blokland and Oveerbeek [65]
1978
Lamoreaux [82]
1997
Mohideen and Roy [89]
1998
Ederth [92]
2000
Chan et al [93]
2001
Bressi et al [102]
2002
Decca et al [110]
2003

100
25
5
1
1
1
15
1

effort to constrain non-Newtonian forces using a variety of schemes, with particular

cancellation of the Casimir force using the so-called isoelectronic technique [112].
ach, the differential force between a gold-coated sphere and flat surfaces of gold and

SeaPle

Summary of Experiments

Murray-Hill (Bell Labs)

Riverside

Padova

Stockholm

Indiana

Capasso (2009)

Asorey-Muoz Castaneda (2013)

Real Casimir force

Finite temperature eect (300 K)
Real conductors and dielectrics (Lifshitz theory)
Corrugated surfaces (lateral Casimir forces)

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Gecko Eect

Figure 6. A g
depicted at va
scales. Visible
scale are the s
responsible fo
Waals sticking
gecko to walk
oval in the low
synthetic nano
inspired by th
(Courtesy of K
Lewis and Cla

velopment o
adhesive tape

Changing t

sult: T = !c3/8GMkB, where, in equation 7, a has been taken

as the gravitational acceleration at the black hole surface and
here M is the black hole mass. The exact agreement is probably coincidental, but it is compelling enough to suggest a di-

Casimir, in hi
stand the sim
sult he obtain
came to the
sion that the z
of the electr
leads to the attraction between nonpolar mo
Consequently, he extended his idea to der
force between two flat plates. The notion th
energy of the electromagnetic field could le

Gravity at short distances

m1 m2
V (r) = G
(1 + er/ )
r

 Experimental bounds

2 orders of magnitude improvement (2014)

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Dynamical Casimir
LETTER

doi:10.1038/nature10561

Observation of the dynamical Casimir effect in a

superconducting circuit
C. M. Wilson1, G. Johansson1, A. Pourkabirian1, M. Simoen1, J. R. Johansson2, T. Duty3, F. Nori2,4 & P. Delsing1

One of the most surprising predictions of modern quantum theory

is that the vacuum of space is not empty. In fact, quantum theory
predicts that it teems with virtual particles flitting in and out of
existence. Although initially a curiosity, it was quickly realized that
these vacuum fluctuations had measurable consequencesfor
instance, producing the Lamb shift1 of atomic spectra and modifying the magnetic moment of the electron2. This type of renormalization due to vacuum fluctuations is now central to our
understanding of nature. However, these effects provide indirect
evidence for the existence of vacuum fluctuations. From early on, it
was discussed whether it might be possible to more directly observe
the virtual particles that compose the quantum vacuum. Forty
years ago, it was suggested3 that a mirror undergoing relativistic
motion could convert virtual photons into directly observable real
photons. The phenomenon, later termed the dynamical Casimir
effect4,5, has not been demonstrated previously. Here we observe
the dynamical Casimir effect in a superconducting circuit consisting of a coplanar transmission line with a tunable electrical length.
The rate of change of the electrical length can be made very fast (a
substantial fraction of the speed of light) by modulating the inductance of a superconducting quantum interference device at high
frequencies (.10 gigahertz). In addition to observing the creation

screening currents. Therefore, even moving in the vacuum can cause a

mirror to emit real photons in response to vacuum fluctuations.
If we consider the real experiment of moving a physical mirror near
the speed of light, we quickly see that it is not feasible. This fact has led
to a number of alternative proposals820, for instance using surface
acoustic waves, nanomechanical resonators, or modulation of the electrical properties of a cavity.
Here we investigate one such proposal using a superconducting
circuit16,17: an open transmission line terminated by a SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device). A SQUID is composed of
two Josephson junctions connected in parallel to form a loop. At the
frequencies studied here, the SQUID acts as a parametric inductor
whose value, LJ, can be tuned by applying a magnetic flux, Wext,
through the SQUID loop. When placed at the end of a transmission
line, this SQUID can then be used to change the lines boundary
condition. In previous work18,21, we showed that this tuning can be
done on very short timescales. The changing inductance can be
described as a change in the electrical length of the transmission line
and, in fact, provides the same time-dependent boundary condition as
the idealized moving mirror22,23. In the same way as for the mirror, the
boundary condition is enforced by screening currents that flow
through the SQUID. Unlike the mirror, the maximum effective velo-

Vacuum Energy vs Dark Energy

Cosmological constant (w=-1)

1
S=
16 G

d x g(R 20 )

E0
1
P0
=
0 =
V
8G
V

Cosmological constant is much smaller than any

QFT vacuum energy

E0
V

E0
V

obs

(1012 GeV)4

(EW)

(100 GeV)

E0
V

(PL)

18

(10

GeV)

Vacuum Energy vs Dark Energy

Minkowski space+me

E0
c 4
=

2
V
8
P0
c 4
=

2
V
24

1
w=
3

Cosmological background FLRW

E0
c 4
H 2 (t) 2
4
=

+
O(H
log )

2
2
V
8
8

P0
c 4
H 2 (t) 2
4
=

+
O(H
log )

2
2
V
24
24

F
L!

S !c
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0(1#123.

The Future of Casimir eect

P

# 6 5134
4 3!

0 #&
0(1#&173.

# 6 51+(3

!Popularity of QED fluctuations (both experiment and theory)

!Connect Casimir effect with world (Nanotechnology & fundamental physics)
!Casimir-Polder effect
!Drude Plasma model discrepancy in relation to existing/new force data
!Casimir repulsive forces
!Biology and dispersion forces (biomolecule recognition by selective van der
Waals/Casimir dispersion forces)
!Calculations and applications of Casimir dispersive forces
!Electrostatics patch effects on contact potentials
!Nanoparticles & size effects on dispersion forces
!van der Waals/Gecko superadhesion for various types of rough surfaces
and applications to robots, superadhesive tapes etc!
!Investigation of vacuum energy in quantum field theory with applications to
QCD and cosmology
!Relation of Casimir effect to industry (develop further present industrial
contacts) and impact on economy
More workshops/schools & focus on 2-3 topical meetings /year