Casimir Effect Between Parallel Plates

Quantum vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field create an attractive force between two uncharged conducting plates. The Casimir pressure is P = −ℏcπ²/(240 a⁴), where a is the plate separation. This simulation visualizes vacuum modes and the resulting force.

Parameters

Plate separation a (nm) 100 Plate area A (μm²) 1.0 Mode cutoff N 20 Temperature T (K) 0

Casimir pressure: — Pa

Total force: — nN

Thermal correction: —

Casimir energy: — aJ

P = −ℏcπ²/(240 a⁴)