Evanescent radiation, quantum mechanics and the casimir effect

Abstract

Non-gravitational forces in nature occur even in a vacuum, near absolute zero degrees temperature. These electromagnetic forces have been designated with the almost ghostlike terms of “virtual photons” or “vacuum fluctuations”. An example of such force is the Casimir effect, wherein two small particles or parallel plates attract each other, even at zero K. Two explanations for this force exist. The first requires an infinite energy, “zero point” radiation spectrum to pervade all of space. The second utilizes the quantum electrodynamic ( QED) “virtual photons”, and as the authors state, provides little intuition to understand the phenomena. The present paper attempts to provide insight into these mysterious forces, as well as the gap between classical and quantum mechanics. It does this by examining the influence of chaotic charged particle motions upon the electromagnetic (e-m) field. Computer experiments show that these chaotic motions give rise to a field pattern that does not radiate free of the source. Instead, a field pattern forms that continuously decays and is rejuvenated, which we refer to as “evanescent” radiation. Further, this field can cause a “back reaction” upon its charged particle sources, giving rise to their chaotic motion in a manner consistent with the quantum mechanical uncertainty principle. The evanescent radiation then provides some physical insight into the virtual photons and vacuum fluctuations of quantum mechanics, as well as the QED explanations of such bizarre phenomena as the Casimir effect.