Casimir forces in a Plasma: Possible Connections to Yukawa Potentials

TL;DR

This paper explores how the Casimir effect in a plasma environment could influence nuclear interactions, suggesting a natural emergence of nuclear energies and meson masses from electromagnetic quantum forces.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical and numerical analysis of the screened Casimir effect in plasma, linking it to nuclear forces and meson mediation.

Findings

Casimir effect in plasma can contribute to nuclear interactions

Nuclear energies and meson masses emerge from the Casimir-Lifshitz effect

Potential connection between Casimir forces and nucleon forces

Abstract

We present theoretical and numerical results for the screened Casimir effect between perfect metal surfaces in a plasma. We show how the Casimir effect in an electron-positron plasma can provide an important contribution to nuclear interactions. Our results suggest that there is a connection between Casimir forces and nucleon forces mediated by mesons. Correct nuclear energies and meson masses appear to emerge naturally from the screened Casimir-Lifshitz effect.