Peter W. Milonni, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Lab and Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Univ. of Rochester

Zero-Point Energy: Still Interesting (and Mysterious) After All These Years

Following a brief review of how zero-point energy first appeared in quantum theory, and how the concept has come to be accepted over the years, I will describe some of the evidence for the physical reality of zero-point energy and zero-point fluctuations, especially in the context of quantum electrodynamics and quantum optics. I will also address some questions surrounding the existence of zero-point energy.

There is no physics colloquium scheduled for this week due to Thanksgiving.