Casimir effect

Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia

0.03 sec.

Casimir effect (k

-mîr

)

The effect of a net attractive force between objects in a vacuum, caused by quantum mechanical vacuum fluctuations creating radiation pressure. The radiation can be thought of as an atmosphere of virtual particles. The amount of radiation pressure on the objects is decreased in the gap between them, due to limits on the wavelength of the radiation in the gap. The gap is thus an area of lower radiation pressure, drawing the objects toward it. This force is strong enough to be of great importance at scales encountered in nanotechnology. The Casimir effect is named after Dutch physicist Hendrik Casimir (1909-2000).

How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback
Add definition

Mentioned in	?		References in periodicals archive	?		Dictionary browser	?		Full browser	?
radiation pressure virtual particle			In 1961, Russian theorists calculated that in certain circumstances, the Casimir effect could cause objects to repel one another - a scenario Capasso's team have finally created experimentally. Quantum lubricant could be used to keep nanomachines rolling by Asian News International Beyond the technique's future possibilities, the experiment also indicates that the Casimir effect may become problematic for designers of tiny machines, says Paul J. Force from empty space drives a machine by Weiss, P. / Science News In 1961, Russian theorists calculated that in certain circumstances, the Casimir effect could cause objects to repel one another - a scenario Capasso's team have finally created experimentally. Quantum lubricant could be used to keep nanomachines rolling by Asian News International			cash-for-questions cashable cashback cashbook cashbox cashcard cashed cashed up cashew cashew apple cashew nut cashew tree cashier cashier's check cashier's cheque cashier’s check Cashierer cashless Cashmere Cashmere goat Cashmere shawl Cashmerette Cashoo cashpoint casimere Casimir effect Casimir Funk Casimir III Casimir IV casing Casings casino casino-hotel cask casket caskful Caslon Casmerodius Casmerodius albus Caspar Caspar Bartholin Casparian strip caspase caspase-mediated cell death Casper Caspian Caspian Sea casque Casquet casquetel Cass			cashpoint cashpoint cashpoint cashpoints CASHRA CASHRM CASHS Cashwrap Cashwrap Cashwrap CASI CASI Standard Data Format CASI-A Casia CASIAD CASIAT CASIBM CASIC CASID CASIE Casier Judiciaire National Casiers Vestiaires Consignes CASIL Casilear, John William Casilear, John William Casilinum CASIM casimere Casimir Casimir effect Casimir energy Casimir energy Casimir force Casimir force Casimir Funk Casimir Funk Casimir Funk Casimir I Casimir I of Poland Casimir II Casimir II of Poland Casimir III Casimir III Casimir III of Poland Casimir III of Poland Casimir IV Casimir IV Casimir IV Jagiellon Casimir IV Jagiellon Casimir Jagiellonian Casimir Jagiellonian Casimir Kuratowski Casimir Malevich Casimir Malevich Casimir Pierre Perier Casimir Pulaski Day Casimir the Great Casimir the Great Casimir vacuum Casimir vacuum

Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup \| Partner with us

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.