1968/10/25 by Timothy H. Boyer · 20 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Quantum Electrodynamics and Casimir Effect #Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies
paper · doi:10.1103/physrev.174.1764
The quantum electromagnetic zero-point energy of a conducting spherical shell of radius r has been computed to be \ensuremathΔE(r)\ensuremath≅\frac0.09\ensuremathℏc2r. The physical reasoning is analogous to that used by Casimir to obtain the force between two uncharged conducting parallel plates, a force confirmed experimentally by Sparnaay and van Silfhout. However, while parallel plates are attracted together because of the zero-point energy, a conducting sphere tends to be expanded. Thus although relevant for the understanding of the quantum-mechanical zero-point energy, the result invalidates Casimir's intriguing model for a charged particle as a charged conducting shell with Poincar'e stresses provided by the zero-point energy and a unique ratio for \frace2\ensuremathℏc independent of the radius.