Category 2 -- Technology Projects for the Future: Quantum Vacuum Engineering

The concept of "quantum vacuum engineering" was first expressed by physics Nobel laureate T. D. Lee in his textbook Particle Physics and Introduction to Field Theory in which he stated: "The experimental method to alter the properties of the vacuum may be called vacuum engineering... If indeed we are able to alter the vacuum, then we may encounter some new phenomena, totally unexpected."

The quantum vacuum is not empty; it is the seat of energetic particles and field fluctuations (and should rightly be called a plenum). The Unruh-Davies effect shows that the virtual photons of the quantum vacuum can be promoted to detectable radiation. The modern quantum vacuum is an energetic medium, and the concepts being investigated at CIPA suggest that this medium is intimately involved in the origin of gravitational and inertial mass.

The following are revolutionary technology areas of quantum vacuum engineering that we hope may eventually be an outgrowth of quantum vacuum physics research at CIPA. Certainly no one knows today whether any of these things will become possible, much less on what time scale. But we can say that based on our current understanding of physics, none of these things is demonstrably impossible, and plausible hypotheses and rigorous analytical tools are available to take the first steps toward investigating these possibilities.

Deep space propulsion without propellant
Extraction of energy from the quantum vacuum
Modification of inertia and gravity

Category 1 -- Technology and Patent Projects for the Present

A number of technology and patent projects are now already being developed here or have been proposed as joint projects with collaborators at universities, all based on novel applications of quantum physics or plasma processes. The areas include:

Novel laser designs for faster pulsing and higher efficiency
Electronics applications of micro-Casimir cavities
High flux compact ion sources
High flux compact neutron sources
Ion beam divergence reduction unit
Novel optical calibration sources using parametric down conversion in non-linear crystal
Telecommunication component calibration and characterization using properties of entangled photons
Quantum cryptography with entangled photons

In contrast to the revolutionary technologies in Category 2, these proposed areas are all based on known physical processes. The long-range plan for CIPA is to develop a patent portfolio in partnership with scientists outside CIPA. A growing revenue stream from licensing of patents will support both basic research (as outlined on the Research page) and the development of other new Category 1 type technology projects. As our theoretical understanding of the quantum vacuum matures, it is anticipated that approaches to projects in Category 2 will begin to appear.

Additional financial resources are needed to pursue all of the current Category 1 technology and patent projects. We are seeking a few visionary sponsor/investors to move these projects forward in 2001. Interested parties should contact the director:

Dr. Bernard Haisch
phone: 650-327-6284, ext. 205, fax: 650-327-6294
haisch@calphysics.org