How the Void Sticks Atoms to the Wall ⚡ экспресс
Original: "Spectroscopic measurement of the Casimir-Polder force in the intermediate regime"
For the first time, the force with which quantum vacuum fluctuations press an atom against a surface has been directly measured — the experiment confirmed the theory and opened the door to new devices.
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Even in complete emptiness there are invisible forces: quantum fluctuations attract an atom to a wall. For the first time, this was directly measured using ultracold atoms and precise spectroscopy. Such “quantum Velcro” will help build the ultra-precise instruments of the future.
🎯 The Casimir-Polder effect is the ‘younger brother’ of the famous Casimir effect: the latter makes two smooth plates in a vacuum stick together, as if smeared with invisible glue.