# Casimir effect and the quantum vacuum

@article{Jaffe2005CasimirEA,
title={Casimir effect and the quantum vacuum},
author={Robert L. Jaffe},
journal={Physical Review D},
year={2005},
volume={72},
pages={021301}
}
• R. Jaffe
• Published 21 March 2005
• Physics
• Physical Review D
In discussions of the cosmological constant, the Casimir effect is often invoked as decisive evidence that the zero-point energies of quantum fields are ''real.'' On the contrary, Casimir effects can be formulated and Casimir forces can be computed without reference to zero-point energies. They are relativistic, quantum forces between charges and currents. The Casimir force (per unit area) between parallel plates vanishes as {alpha}, the fine structure constant, goes to zero, and the standard…
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