Exploring quantum vacuum using a torsion balance

Andy Kim
Department of Physics, Seattle University

In this talk, I will give a brief review on a quantum mechanical force known as the Casimir force. Arising due to quantum vacuum fluctuation in the space spanned by two neutral objects, the force can be understood in terms of van der Waals interactions among neutral molecules that compose the physical boundaries. We observe that the effective contact potential between the plates varies with their separation distance, leading to a systematic non-compensated electrostatic force that has been neglected in the previous measurements. I will also describe a detailed experimental procedure to characterize the forces of electric and non-electric origins between Ge plates and present our analysis to address the thermal correction to the Casimir force in Lifshitz’s formula.