Gedanken experiments with Casimir forces and vacuum energy

摘要: Gedanken experiments are used to explore properties of quantum vacuum energy that currently challenging experimentally. A constant lateral Casimir force is predicted exist between two overlapping finite parallel plates at 0 K; otherwise it would be possible extract an arbitrary amount from the vacuum. rigid unpowered object cannot accelerated by because translational symmetry space. By considering systems in which and other forms exchanged, we demonstrate a change {Delta}E energy, whether positive or negative with respect free field, corresponds equivalent inertial mass gravitational {Delta}M={Delta}E/c{sup 2}. We consider possibility shield show that, if exists, operate have cancel net extracted field; could field.