206
PHV5ICS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
matter bends light as the light passes through, in the same way that
glass bends light.)
Therefore it should be possible to use Einstein lenses to search for
negative matter and wormholes in outer space. They should bend light
in a peculiar way, which should be visible with the Hubble Space Telescope. So far, Einstein lenses have not detected the image of negative
matter or wormholes in outer space, but the search is continuing. If
one day the Hubble Space Telescope detects the presence of negative
matter or a wormhole via Einstein lenses, it could set off a shock wave
in physics.
Negative energy is different from negative matter in that it actually
exists, but only in minute quantities. In 1933 Hendrik Casimir made a
bizarre prediction using the laws of the quantum theory. He claimed
that two uncharged parallel metal plates will attract each other, as if
by magic. Normally parallel plates are stationary, since they lack any
net charge. But the vacuum between the two parallel plates is not
empty, but full of "virtual particles," which dart in and out of existence.
For brief periods of time, electron-antielectron pairs burst out of
nothing, only to be annihilated and disappear back into the vacuum.
Ironically, empty space, which was once thought to be devoid of anything, now turns out to be churning with quantum activity. Normally
tiny bursts of matter and antimatter would seem to violate the conservation of energy. But because of the uncertainty principle, these tiny
violations are incredibly short-lived, and on average energy is still
conserved.
Casimir found that the cloud of virtual particles will create a net
pressure in the vacuum. The space between the two parallel plates is
confined, and hence the pressure is low. But the pressure outside the
plates is unconfined and larger, and hence there will be a net pressure
pushing the plates together.
Normally the state of zero energy occurs when these two plates are
at rest and sitting far apart from each other. But as the plates come
closer together, you can extract energy out of them. Thus, because kinetic energy has been taken out of the plates, the energy of the plates
is less than zero.
PHV5ICS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
matter bends light as the light passes through, in the same way that
glass bends light.)
Therefore it should be possible to use Einstein lenses to search for
negative matter and wormholes in outer space. They should bend light
in a peculiar way, which should be visible with the Hubble Space Telescope. So far, Einstein lenses have not detected the image of negative
matter or wormholes in outer space, but the search is continuing. If
one day the Hubble Space Telescope detects the presence of negative
matter or a wormhole via Einstein lenses, it could set off a shock wave
in physics.
Negative energy is different from negative matter in that it actually
exists, but only in minute quantities. In 1933 Hendrik Casimir made a
bizarre prediction using the laws of the quantum theory. He claimed
that two uncharged parallel metal plates will attract each other, as if
by magic. Normally parallel plates are stationary, since they lack any
net charge. But the vacuum between the two parallel plates is not
empty, but full of "virtual particles," which dart in and out of existence.
For brief periods of time, electron-antielectron pairs burst out of
nothing, only to be annihilated and disappear back into the vacuum.
Ironically, empty space, which was once thought to be devoid of anything, now turns out to be churning with quantum activity. Normally
tiny bursts of matter and antimatter would seem to violate the conservation of energy. But because of the uncertainty principle, these tiny
violations are incredibly short-lived, and on average energy is still
conserved.
Casimir found that the cloud of virtual particles will create a net
pressure in the vacuum. The space between the two parallel plates is
confined, and hence the pressure is low. But the pressure outside the
plates is unconfined and larger, and hence there will be a net pressure
pushing the plates together.
Normally the state of zero energy occurs when these two plates are
at rest and sitting far apart from each other. But as the plates come
closer together, you can extract energy out of them. Thus, because kinetic energy has been taken out of the plates, the energy of the plates
is less than zero.