Nollapistevärehtely

Nollapistevärehtely, also known as zero-point energy or quantum vacuum fluctuation, is a fundamental concept in quantum field theory. It refers to the lowest possible energy that a quantum mechanical system may possess. Even at absolute zero temperature, a quantum system will still have a small amount of residual energy due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. This principle states that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle with perfect accuracy simultaneously.

These fluctuations are not just theoretical curiosities; they have observable consequences. One notable example is the Casimir effect, where two closely spaced, uncharged conductive plates experience an attractive force. This force arises because the fluctuations of the quantum vacuum are suppressed between the plates, leading to a net outward pressure from the vacuum outside the plates. Another manifestation is the Lamb shift, a small difference in energy between two energy levels in the hydrogen atom that quantum electrodynamics predicts due to the interaction of the electron with vacuum fluctuations.

The concept of zero-point energy has also been explored in cosmology. The energy density of the vacuum is thought to be related to the cosmological constant, which influences the expansion of the universe. While the precise origin and magnitude of vacuum energy are still subjects of active research and debate, its existence is supported by a variety of experimental and theoretical findings. The implications of nollapistevärehtely span from the subatomic realm to the large-scale structure of the cosmos.