Open AccessQuantum friction–fact or fiction?
Author(s) -
J. B. Pendry
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
new journal of physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.584
H-Index - 190
ISSN - 1367-2630
DOI - 10.1088/1367-2630/12/3/033028
Subject(s) - physics , zero point energy , quantum fluctuation , vacuum energy , quantum , assertion , zero (linguistics) , point (geometry) , absolute zero , charge (physics) , classical mechanics , zero temperature , point particle , quantum mechanics , theoretical physics , linguistics , philosophy , geometry , mathematics , computer science , programming language
Two parallel dielectric plates separated by vacuum interact through zero-point charge fluctuations and experience friction when the plates are in relative motion and the vacuum is sheared. Even at the absolute zero of temperature, residual quantum fluctuations remain because the zero-point energy gives rise to 'quantum friction'. In a recent paper, the reality of these fluctuations is questioned and the existence of quantum friction is called into question. Here we refute this assertion.
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