Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site allegra.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!harpo!eagle!allegra!don From: don@allegra.UUCP (D. Mitchell) Newsgroups: net.physics Subject: Casimir Effect Message-ID: <2256@allegra.UUCP> Date: Sat, 4-Feb-84 18:37:44 EST Article-I.D.: allegra.2256 Posted: Sat Feb 4 18:37:44 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 8-Feb-84 07:36:43 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill Lines: 10 I believe the Casimir effect is a Quantum Field effect. The effect is this: Two [uncharged] metal plates in a vacuum are attracted by a force other than gravity. The vacuum contains photon fluctuations at various frequencies; however between the plates, modes with wavelengths longer than the spacing between the plates are not possible. Outside the plates those mode exist, so there is a net pressure inwards. Someone once told me that the Higg's mechanism in Quantum Chromodynamics is a similar phenomena involving the strong nuclear force. Can someone explain that?