Is the Feigel effect real? Theoretical predictions and possible experimental tests.

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• Dr. Ottavio Croze, University of Glasgow
• Friday 20 January 2012, 14:00-15:00
• Physics East 217.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Elizabeth Blackburn.

A recent theory by Feigel predicts trasfer of momentum from the quantum vacuum to magnetoelectric materials (by virtue of the latter’s optical anisotropy). Feigel evaluated the vacuum momentum density of a magnetoelectric semi-classically. I will present a simpler derivation of this momentum density, corrected for trivial errors in Feigel’s calculation. I will then evaluate the associated vacuum stress inside a magnetoelectric. I predict that, if the Feigel effect is real, this stress should induce the measurable flow of organometallic fluids in a tube placed in strong perpendicular electric and magnetic fields (effective magnetoelectric fluids). One would also expect this stress to cause magnetoelectric panes of a `vacuum radiometer’ to turn, though a recent calculation by Obukhov and Hehl predicts zero stress on a magnetoelectric slab. I will discuss experimental tests of these predictions, presenting objections to the theory as well as reasons to test it. To conclude, I will briefly analyse the thermodynamic implications of Feigel effect, comparing it with the Casimir effect, its accepted quantum cousin.

Feigel, A. Phys. Rev. Lett., 92, 020404 (2004) http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v92/i2/e020404

Croze, O. A. Proc. R. Soc. A, 468, 429-447 (2012) http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2011.0481

Obukhov, Y. N. & Hehl, F. W. Phys. Lett. A, 372, 3946–3952 (2008) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physleta.2008.03.021

This talk is part of the Condensed Matter Physics Seminars series.

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• Bham Talks
• Cond. Mat. seminar
• Condensed Matter Physics Seminars
• Physics East 217
• What's on in Physics?

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