Engineering the Zero-Point Field and Polarizable Vacuum For Interstellar Flight (original) (raw)

Advanced space propulsion based on vacuum (spacetime metric)quantum engineering

A theme that has come to the fore in advanced planning for long-range space exploration is the concept that empty space itself (the quantum vacuum, or spacetime metric) might be engineered so as to provide energy/thrust for future space vehicles. Although far-reaching, such a proposal is solidly grounded in modern physical theory, and therefore the possibility that matter/ vacuum interactions might be engineered for space-flight applications is not a priori ruled out . As examples, the current development of theoretical physics addresses such topics as warp drives, traversable wormholes and time machines that provide for such vacuum engineering possibilities [2-6]. We provide here from a broad perspective the physics and correlates/ consequences of the engineering of the spacetime metric.

The Zero-Point Field and the NASA Challenge to Create the Space Drive

ralph.open-aerospace.org

This NASA Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Workshop seeks to explore concepts that could someday enable interstellar travel. The effective superluminal motion proposed by to be a possibility owing to theoretically allowed space-time metric distortions within general relativity has since been shown by to be physically unattainable. A number of other hypothetical possibilities have been summarized by . We present herein an overview of a concept that has implications for radically new propulsion possibilities and has a basis in theoretical physics: the hypothesis that the inertia and gravitation of matter originate in electromagetic interactions between the zero-point field (ZPF) and the quarks and electrons constituting atoms. A new derivation of the connection between the ZPF and inertia has been carried through that is properly co-variant, yielding the relativistic equation of motion from Maxwell's equations. This opens new possibilites, but also rules out the basis of one hypothetical propulsion mechanism: Bondi's "negative inertial mass," appears to be an impossibility.

Advanced Space Propulsion Based on Vacuum (Spacetime Metric) Engineering

arXiv: General Physics, 2010

A theme that has come to the fore in advanced planning for long-range space exploration is the concept that empty space itself (the quantum vacuum, or spacetime metric) might be engineered so as to provide energy/thrust for future space vehicles. Although far-reaching, such a proposal is solidly grounded in modern physical theory, and therefore the possibility that matter/vacuum interactions might be engineered for space-flight applications is not a priori ruled out. As examples, the current development of theoretical physics addresses such topics as warp drives, traversable wormholes and time machines that provide for such vacuum engineering possibilities. We provide here from a broad perspective the physics and correlates/consequences of the engineering of the spacetime metric.

Toward an interstellar mission: Zeroing in on the zero-point-field inertia resonance

AIP Conference Proceedings, 2000

While still an admittedly remote possibility, the concept of an interstellar mission has become a legitimate topic for scientific discussion as evidenced by several recent NASA activities and programs. One approach is to extrapolate present-day technologies by orders of magnitude; the other is to find new regimes in physics and to search for possible new laws of physics. Recent work on the zero-point field (ZPF), or electromagnetic quantum vacuum, is promising in regard to the latter, especially concerning the possibility that the inertia of matter may, at least in part, be attributed to interaction between the quarks and electrons in matter and the ZPF. A NASA-funded study (independent of the BPP program) of this concept has been underway since 1996 at the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto and the California State University at Long Beach. We report on a new development resulting from this effort: that for the specific case of the electron, a resonance for the inertia-generating process at the Compton frequency would simultaneously explain both the inertial mass of the electron and the de Broglie wavelength of a moving electron as first measured by . This line of investigation is leading to very suggestive connections between electrodynamics, inertia, gravitation and the wave nature of matter.

Physics of the Zero Point Field and its Applications to Advanced Technology

Space-time in a vacuum has generally been viewed as a transparent and ubiquitous empty continuum within which physical events take place. However quantum field theory and quantum electrodynamics views the vacuum as the sum total of all zero-point fluctuations of the vacuum electromagnetic field, arising from the continuous creation and annihilation of virtual particle pairs. It is this latter more contemporary view that is, for the first time, more fully explored in text form with Physics of the Zero Point Field. The scope of applications in this book range from the Casimir effect, the variation in zero-point energy at the boundaries of a region observable in nano-scale devices, to ideas for a proposed inertial drive as first described by Puthoff. (Imprint: Nova)

New frontiers in space propulsion sciences

Energy Conversion and Management, 2008

Mankind's destiny points toward a quest for the stars. Realistically, it is difficult to achieve this using current space propulsion science and develop the prerequisite technologies, which for the most part requires the use of massive amounts of propellant to be expelled from the system. Therefore, creative approaches are needed to reduce or eliminate the need for a propellant. Many researchers have identified several unusual approaches that represent immature theories based upon highly advanced concepts. These theories and concepts could lead to creating the enabling technologies and forward thinking necessary to eventually result in developing new directions in space propulsion science. In this paper, some of these theoretical and technological concepts are examined-approaches based upon Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, spacetime curvature, superconductivity, and newer ideas where questions are raised regarding conservation theorems and if some of the governing laws of physics, as we know them, could be violated or are even valid. These conceptual ideas vary from traversable wormholes, Krasnikov tubes and Alcubierre's warpdrive to Electromagnetic (EM) field propulsion with possible hybrid systems that incorporate our current limited understanding of zero point fields and quantum mechanics.

Can the Vacuum Be Engineered for Spaceight Applications? Overview of Theory and Experiments1

Ð Quantum theory predicts, and experiments verify, that empty space (the vacuum) contains an enormous residual background energy known as zero-point energy (ZPE). Originally thought to be of significance only for such esoteric concerns as small perturbations to atomic emission processes, it is now known to play a role in large-scale phenomena of interest to technologists as well, such as the inhibition of spontaneous emission, the generation of short-range attractive forces (e.g., the Casimir force), and the possibility of accounting for sonoluminescence phenomena. ZPE topics of interest for spaceflight applications range from fundamental issues (where does inertia come from, can it be controlled?), through laboratory attempts to extract useful energy from vacuum fluctuations (can the ZPE be ª minedº for practical use?), to scientifically grounded extrapolations concerning ª engineering the vacuumº (is ª warp-driveº space propulsion a scientific possibility?). Recent advances in research into the physics of the underlying ZPE indicate the possibility of potential application in all these areas of interest.

Study of Vacuum Energy Physics for Breakthrough Propulsion

2004

G. Jordan Maclay Quantum Fields LLC, Richland Center, Wisconsin Jay Hammer and Rod Clark MEMS Optical, Inc., Huntsville, Alabama ... G. Jordan Maclay Quantum Fields LLC, Richland Center, Wisconsin Jay Hammer and Rod Clark MEMS Optical, Inc., Huntsville, Alabama ...

The Electromagnetic Quantum Vacuum Warp Drive

Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, 2015

It is proposed that gravitational fields may be interpreted as a variation in the relative available driving power (Watts) of the Electromagnetic, Zero-Point Field (ZPF). It is shown that variations in the relative power are covariant with variations in the coordinate speed of light as measured by distant observers in unaltered space-time. Gravitational time dilation and length contraction may then be interpreted as a loss of power in the ZPF. It is shown that an amplification of the ZPF is necessary to drive inflation and achieve faster than light speeds. This principle of matter and power is utilized to show the form of matter required, may be interpreted as a reduced ground state equilibrium energy density of ordinary matter. Associated with an increased ground state energy and volume, caused by the increased power of the ZPF. This property is utilized to derive a new type of electromagnetic warp drive that can eliminate the effects of time dilation and length contraction that oc...