On the magnitude of the energy flow inherent in zero-point radiation
Abstract
Description
The spectrum of zero-point radiation is relativistically invariant and its spectral density function is therefore inversely proportional to the cubes of its wavelengths. For its energy to be finite, there must exist a minimum wavelength, $q_λ$. The measurements of the apparent attraction between two uncharged conductor plates, placed in a vacuum at a temperature close to absolute zero, made by Sparnaay in 1958 allow us to deduce that the energy flow of the zero-point radiation which comes of or into an area $(q_λ)^2$, corresponds with the emission of one photon of wavelength $q_λ$ per $q_τ$ $(q_τ=q_λ/c)$, plus one photon of wavelength $2q_λ$ per $2^3q_τ$, etc., up to one photon of wavelength $nq_λ$ per $n^3q_τ$. This energy flow is enormous, but Sparnaay's experiments implied only photons whose wavelengths were greater than $5\times10^{-5}$ cm, and zero-point radiation may include only photons with wavelengths greater than $xq_λ$, being $x$ an integer, perhaps very great.
4 pages, 2 figures; some minor typos corrected. Conclusions remain unchanged
4 pages, 2 figures; some minor typos corrected. Conclusions remain unchanged