A coherent state approach to the Casimir effect for a massive scalar field in a noncommutative spacetime

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the Casimir effect in the classical geometry of two parallel conducting plates, separated by a distance L, for a massive scalar field in a noncommutative spacetime within a coherent state approach. Noncommutative geometry is implemented by means of modified commutation relations for the spacetime coordinates, thus introducing a fundamental length scale l in the theory. Following a coordinate coherent states approach, we define mean values over the noncommutative spacetime and introduce the massive scalar field theory. We derive an expression for the zero-point energy which we evaluate by means of a dimensional regularization process. We express the Casimir energy in terms of powers of the ratios (l/L)2n in the massless case and (ml2/L)2n in the massive case. Our results are discussed both, theoretically and numerically. We finally estimate boundary effects by introducing an specific model for the plates.