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Zero point energy and zero point oscillations: how they are detected experimentally

 a, b
a Kapitza Institute of Physical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Kosygina 2, Moscow, 117334, Russian Federation
b Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Institutskii per. 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russian Federation

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.

Fulltext pdf (840 KB)
Fulltext is also available at DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.0182.201208e.0855
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)
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Received: 4th, February 2011, revised: 27th, December 2011, 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

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