The Quantum Vacuum

by Peter W. Milonni

Book Overview

In modern physics, the classical vacuum of tranquil nothingness has been replaced by a quantum vacuum with fluctuations of measurable consequence. In The Quantum Vacuum, Peter Milonni describes the concept of the vacuum in quantum physics with an emphasis on quantum electrodynamics. He elucidates in depth and detail the role of the vacuum electromagnetic field in spontaneous emission, the Lamb shift, van der Waals, and Casimir forces,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0124980805
• ISBN13: 9780124980808
• Release Date: November 1993
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Length: 522 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Good at what it covers

This is primarily a book on quantum electrodynamics, with a focus on the zero-point energy fluctuations. The thing I really liked about it is that the physics doesn't take a backseat to formalism, the same effect is also often examined from several different angles. Another nice this is that the effects of the electromagnetic vacuum fluctuations on atoms is often considered. The book opens with a chapter covering some of the earlier work that hinted at vacuum fluctuations, for example blackbody radiation and spontaneous emissions. Following this the vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field are derived. Then some interesting physics is presented. The Casimir effect is covered briefly. The Casimir effect is returned to frequently throughout the book, in fact it's one of the central topics of it. The Unruh-Davies effect is derived and a physical explanation is given for it, there is also a discussion of what a freefalling observer with a charge sees. Although not mentioned in the book, the analogous effect has important implications for Hawking radiation. Many other effects are considered. One that I thought was particularly interesting is that the van der Waals force between atoms that lack permanent magnetic dipole moments is ultimately caused by vacuum fluctuations. Van der Waals forces are covered in great detail as the book proceeds. The final four chapters read like a quick introduction to quantum field theory similar to the approach in Bjorken and Drell. The contents are roughly: the Dirac equation, some of its effects (e.g. Zitterbewegung and vacuum polarization), the realization that the Dirac equation has issues as a single particle theory, second quantization, renormalization and Feynman diagrams. One of the interesting results is the calculation of the Casimir type force caused by the electron field. Other than that, not much else from this part of the book stood out for me. This isn't a comprehensive book on field theory in general or even quantum electrodynamics, however I do think it adds a lot of insight into quantum electrodynamics and the physical effects of the vacuum. It is very detailed in the things it covers and often adds insight by looking at a problem from several angles. I also think parts of the book would be very useful for somebody studying atomic physics.

A thoughtful account of QED

This is an original, pedagogical, and scholarly account of quantum electrodynamics. It does not imitate other books. The author has his own points of view which are personal and insightful. The subject is presented as a part of physics with many applications to Casimir forces, Van der Waals forces, radiation and spectra of atoms, vacuum fluctuations, quantum optics etc. The author gives the impression that he explains what he has really understood and he makes you curious about the things that he has not. I like this book and recommend it; it has integrity.