The zero point energy of a system in a potential well is reviewed as a concept, with some history of the development behind it, and a discussion is given of how it can be detected experimentally from the electronic-vibrational spectrum of molecules with different isotopes (isotope effect). Also discussed is how the zero point oscillations of crystal lattice atoms show up in the diffraction of X-rays and neutrons from crystals and in the temperature dependence of the Mössbauer effect probability. Other topics include measuring zero point oscillations of water molecules in a nanotube to determine the form of the potential energy of the system; the role of zero point oscillations in the dynamics of electrons in semiconductors, and experiments on the optical cooling and quantum behavior of mechanical oscillators.

PACS: 03.65.−w, 03.65.Ge, 61.05.cp, 61.05.Qr (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.0182.201208e.0855 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2012/8/d/ 000310831300004 2-s2.0-84869068385 Citation: Tsipenyuk Yu M "Zero point energy and zero point oscillations: how they are detected experimentally" Phys. Usp. 55 796–807 (2012) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 4th, February 2011, revised: 27th, December 2011, accepted: 14th, February 2012 Оригинал: Ципенюк Ю М «Нулевая энергия и нулевые колебания: как они обнаруживаются экспериментально» УФН 182 855–867 (2012); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0182.201208e.0855