Science > Physics > Measurability of vacuum fluctuations and dark energy
| Topic: |
Science > Physics |
| User: |
"Sam Wormley" |
| Date: |
03 Apr 2007 09:50:50 AM |
| Object: |
Measurability of vacuum fluctuations and dark energy |
Measurability of vacuum fluctuations and dark energy
C. Beck & M.C. Mackey
Physica A (2007), 379, 101-110
http://www.cnd.mcgill.ca/bios/mackey/pdf_pub/measurability_2007.pdf
Vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field induce current
fluctuations in resistively shunted Josephson junctions that are
measurable in terms of a physically relevant power spectrum. In this
paper we investigate under which conditions vacuum fluctuations can
be gravitationally active, thus contributing to the dark energy
density of the universe. Our central hypothesis is that vacuum
fluctuations are "gravitationally active" if and only if they are
"measurable" in terms of a physical power spectrum in a suitable
macroscopic or mesoscopic detector.
This hypothesis is consistent with the observed dark energy density
in the universe and offers a resolution of the cosmological constant
problem. Using this hypothesis we show that the observable vacuum
energy density p_vac in the universe is related to the largest
possible critical temperature T_c of superconductors through
p_vac = sigma (kT_c)^4 / h_bar^3c^3
where sigma is a small constant of the order 10-3 . This relation can
be regarded as an analog of the Stefan-Boltzmann law for dark energy.
Our hypothesis is testable in Josephson junctions where we predict
there should be a cutoff in the measured spectrum at 1.7 THz if the
hypothesis is true.
.
|
|
| User: "" |
|
| Title: Re: Measurability of vacuum fluctuations and dark energy |
03 Apr 2007 10:41:20 PM |
|
|
On Apr 3, 7:50 am, Sam Wormley <sworml...@mchsi.com> wrote:
Measurability of vacuum fluctuations and dark energy
C. Beck & M.C. Mackey
Physica A (2007), 379, 101-110
http://www.cnd.mcgill.ca/bios/mackey/pdf_pub/measurability_2007.pdf
Vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field induce current
fluctuations in resistively shunted Josephson junctions that are
measurable in terms of a physically relevant power spectrum. In this
paper we investigate under which conditions vacuum fluctuations can
be gravitationally active, thus contributing to the dark energy
density of the universe. Our central hypothesis is that vacuum
fluctuations are "gravitationally active" if and only if they are
"measurable" in terms of a physical power spectrum in a suitable
macroscopic or mesoscopic detector.
This hypothesis is consistent with the observed dark energy density
in the universe and offers a resolution of the cosmological constant
problem. Using this hypothesis we show that the observable vacuum
energy density p_vac in the universe is related to the largest
possible critical temperature T_c of superconductors through
p_vac = sigma (kT_c)^4 / h_bar^3c^3
where sigma is a small constant of the order 10-3 . This relation can
be regarded as an analog of the Stefan-Boltzmann law for dark energy.
Our hypothesis is testable in Josephson junctions where we predict
there should be a cutoff in the measured spectrum at 1.7 THz if the
hypothesis is true.
So quantum fluctuations ARE gravitationally active!
Does that also mean that more space is created by quantum
fluctuations, which in turn causes more quantum fluctuations from the
additional space?
.
|
|
|
| User: "Andy Resnick" |
|
| Title: Re: Measurability of vacuum fluctuations and dark energy |
04 Apr 2007 08:37:24 AM |
|
|
wrote:
<snip>
So quantum fluctuations ARE gravitationally active!
That remains to be seen. Their *hypothesis* is this:
'Vacuum fluctuations are gravitationally active if and only if they are
measurable in terms of a physically relevant power spectrum in a
macroscopic or mesoscopic detector.'
What is nice here is that they at least provide a guideline for an
experimental confirmation.
<snip>
--
Andrew Resnick, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Case Western Reserve University
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "Sam Wormley" |
|
| Title: Re: Measurability of vacuum fluctuations and dark energy |
03 Apr 2007 10:52:25 PM |
|
|
wrote:
On Apr 3, 7:50 am, Sam Wormley <sworml...@mchsi.com> wrote:
Measurability of vacuum fluctuations and dark energy
C. Beck & M.C. Mackey
Physica A (2007), 379, 101-110
http://www.cnd.mcgill.ca/bios/mackey/pdf_pub/measurability_2007.pdf
Vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field induce current
fluctuations in resistively shunted Josephson junctions that are
measurable in terms of a physically relevant power spectrum. In this
paper we investigate under which conditions vacuum fluctuations can
be gravitationally active, thus contributing to the dark energy
density of the universe. Our central hypothesis is that vacuum
fluctuations are "gravitationally active" if and only if they are
"measurable" in terms of a physical power spectrum in a suitable
macroscopic or mesoscopic detector.
This hypothesis is consistent with the observed dark energy density
in the universe and offers a resolution of the cosmological constant
problem. Using this hypothesis we show that the observable vacuum
energy density p_vac in the universe is related to the largest
possible critical temperature T_c of superconductors through
p_vac = sigma (kT_c)^4 / h_bar^3c^3
where sigma is a small constant of the order 10-3 . This relation can
be regarded as an analog of the Stefan-Boltzmann law for dark energy.
Our hypothesis is testable in Josephson junctions where we predict
there should be a cutoff in the measured spectrum at 1.7 THz if the
hypothesis is true.
So quantum fluctuations ARE gravitationally active!
Does that also mean that more space is created by quantum
fluctuations, which in turn causes more quantum fluctuations from the
additional space?
Good question!
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
