Macroscopic quantum vacuum and microscopic gravitation

TL;DR

This paper reviews the relationship between quantum vacuum phenomena, such as Casimir forces, and gravitation, exploring implications for detecting non-Newtonian forces and the influence of the Higgs field on gravity.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of experimental and theoretical issues linking quantum vacuum effects with gravitational phenomena, highlighting potential observational signatures.

Findings

Casimir force measurements can constrain non-Newtonian gravity

Higgs field modifications may affect atomic spectra in curved spacetime

Interplay between quantum vacuum and gravity has observable implications

Abstract

Macroscopic quantum vacuum and modern theories of gravitation share the strong interplay between geometry and physical phenomena. We review selected issues related to the accuracy of the measurement of Casimir forces with particular emphasis on the implications for the search of non-Newtonian gravitational forces in the micrometer range. We then discuss the interplay of the Higgs particle with gravitation, arguing that spectroscopic shifts in atomic transitions due to the modifications of the vacuum expectation value of the Higgs field in regions with strong curvature of space-time may be of conceptual and observational relevance.