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The Quantum Vacuum

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Romanian Studies in Philosophy of Science

Part of the book series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science ((BSPS,volume 313))

Abstract

The vacuum is the lowest energy state of a field in a certain region of space. This definition implies that no particles can be present in the vacuum state. In classical physics, the only features of vacuum are those of its geometry. For example, in the general theory of relativity the geometry is a dynamical structure that guides the motion of matter, and, in turn, it is bent and curved by the presence of matter. Other than this, the classical vacuum is a structure void of any physical properties, since classically properties are strictly associated with physical objects such as particles and finite-amplitude fields. The situation is very different in quantum physics. As I will show in this paper, the difference stems from the fact that in quantum physics the properties are not strictly tied to objects. We know for example that physical properties come into existence - as values of observables - only when the object is measured. Thus, quantum physics allows us to detach properties from objects. This has consequences: one does not need pre-existing real objects to create actual properties, and indeed under certain perturbations the quantum vacuum produces observable effects such as energy shifts and creation of particles. An open question is if by necessity the vacuum comes with an embedded geometry, and if it is possible to construct viable physical theories in which geometry is detached from the vacuum.

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Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Prof. I. Pârvu for inviting me to contribute to this volume and for many inspirational discussions during my studies at the Department of Philosophy of the University of Bucharest. The title of the third section of this contribution is inspired from his book, Arhitectura existentei (Humanitas, Bucharest, 1990). Financial support from FQXi and from the Academy of Finland, projects 263457 and the Center of Excellence “Low Temperature Quantum Phenomena and Devices” project 250280 is acknowledged.

I am grateful to Grisha Volovik, Gil Jannes, Janne Karimäki, Iulian Toader, and Jonathan Bain for comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Low Temperature Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, 15100, FI-00076, AALTO, Espoo, Finland

    Gheorghe S. Paraoanu

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  1. Gheorghe S. Paraoanu
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Theoretical Philosophy, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

    Ilie Pȃrvu

  2. Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Gabriel Sandu

  3. Department of Theoretical Philosophy, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

    Iulian D. Toader

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Paraoanu, G.S. (2015). The Quantum Vacuum. In: Pȃrvu, I., Sandu, G., Toader, I. (eds) Romanian Studies in Philosophy of Science. Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, vol 313. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16655-1_12

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