Gordon Godfrey Theoretical Seminar 2006
Quantum
fluctuations and the Casimir effect in meso- and macro-systems.
Prof.
Yoseph Imry
Weizmann Inst.
Date
12 pm, Thursday, 2 February, 2006
School of Physics,
Room 5
Abstract:
The subject of Quantum Noise will be briefly introduced. The Physics
of the correlators and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem will be explained.
The generalization of the latter to steady nonequilibrium states will
be discussed. Brief remarks will be made on fundamental constraints
on amplification in the quantum domain. One of the most interesting
consequences of the quantum fluctuations is the Casimir force, due to
the radiation pressure of the electromagnetic “vacuum”.
An (in principle) straightforward experiment is suggested to confirm
that interpretation. Both macroscopic and nanometer-scale aspects of
the effect will be discussed, along with insights on the subtle questions
related to the Casimir effect. The substantial Casimir pressure on a
thin conducting film, due to surface plasmons, will be demonstrated.
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