Fran and Robin,
I think it is important to keep in mind the fact that the Casimir
force equations become meaningless when atoms approach at close rage.
Near field effects overwhelm photonic effects, like black body
radiation, and joint entangled quantum wave forms become
significant. The Casimir force equations are based on the
establishment of boundary conditions on zero point oscillations of
the vacuum. Boundaries require the separation of matter surfaces,
i.e. the existence of distinct matter surfaces. As surfaces approach
the boundary conditions necessary for sustaining the accuracy of the
Casimir force equations becomes fuzzy and other interactions dominate
the forces. While zero point energy, the ground state energy of the
vacuum, must remain significant in various forms in condensed matter,
the Casimir force itself becomes a nonsensical concept to apply, and
the Casimir force equations lose all significance. Of course this is
not to say I haven't attempted to make use of close approach Casimir
force concepts myself, though mainly as a conceptual guide.
I don't subscribe to any specific theory of gravity. They all have
their flaws and only mother nature can decide what is correct by
arbitrating experiments. However, it makes no more sense to me to
attribute the Casimir force to gravity than it does to attribute the
force between two magnets to gravity. I suppose the case can be made
that all forces are gravity, or the equivalent case that all forces
are electromagnetic, including gravity. That is to say that gravity
is the result of the push of virtual photons, not attraction due to
the exchange of a gravity specific messenger particle. Whatever
theory of gravity is selected, GR, gravity as push, gravity as
exchange of gravity messenger particle, etc., it makes no sense at
all to me to mix theories, i.e. to ascribe relativistic time dilation
space warping ideas of GR to cavities which have significance only to
boundary conditions for vacuum oscillations. To me it is mixing
metaphors, and confusing at best. It certainly makes for endless
confused discussion, which I would like to avoid, especially at this
time of year. The snow line is dropping down the mountains toward
sea level here, and I have many mundane things requiring my time.
Best regards,
Horace Heffner
http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/
