Microcosm/Macrocosm

Section II

6. Zero Point Fields

Quantum physics predicts the existence of an underlying sea of zero-point energy at every point in the universe ... referred to as the electromagnetic quantum vacuum since it is the lowest state of otherwise empty space. This energy is so enormous that most physicists believe that even though zero-point energy seems to be an inescapable consequence of elementary quantum theory, it cannot be physically real, and so is subtracted away in calculations. From this perspective, the ordinary world of matter and energy is like a foam atop the quantum vacuum sea. (Www.calphysics.org)

There is an emerging new physics for the twenty first century which offers profound revisions of the most basic concepts in science–concerning the nature of space, the quantum vacuum, the zero point fields, the nature of mass, and even, whether or not gravity exists. Of course, the scientists who espouse such views and research such possibilities, do not consider that their studies of the new physics have anything to do with the study of consciousness, life and Self; or that there might be anything mystical about such concepts. However, the newest concepts in physics concerning the Zero Point Field illustrate beautifully the ancient wisdom teachings about the nature of the underlying realms of existence.
The zero point field is a ground state field of energy which constantly interacts with all subatomic matters. Fluctuations of the zero point field drive the motion of subatomic particles. It is called the zero point field because fluctuations in the field are even evident at a temperature of absolute zero, where all matter has been removed. Particles continually interact with the underlying zero point field, and these interactions are mediated by “virtual particles.” Virtual particles continually appear out of quantum vacuum, combining and annihilating each other, in the briefest instances of time (approximately 10-23 seconds, depending upon the mass of the particles involved). All of matter is supported and sustained by activity from within the underlying zero point field. The zero point field is a repository of all fields and all ground energy states for the different forces in nature, and all the virtual particles which mediate these forces. Thus, the zero point field is a plenum–defined by McTaggart as “a background substructure filled with things.” (p. 22) It is now considered that the most enigmatic concepts of modern physics–such as the uncertainty principle, the wave/particle duality, and the fluctuation motion of particles are all due to dynamics involving the zero point field.

The idea of the zero-point field arises out of quantum physics from the uncertainty principle of W. Heisenberg. The uncertainty principle states that certain pairs of measurement, such as the position and momentum of a particle, cannot both be known exactly at the same instant of time. As the measurement of the particle’s position is specified more and more exactly, then the uncertainty about its momentum becomes infinite great, and visa versa. There is thus an “intrinsic quantum fuzziness in the very nature of energy and matter.” If we attempt to define the position of the particle, then its momentum becomes infinite; and if we try to exactly define its energy, then uncertainty about its position becomes infinite. “Even at absolute zero temperature, a particle must still be jittering about: if it were at a complete standstill, its momentum and positions would both be known precisely and simultaneously, violating the uncertainty principle.” (1997, p. 83)
Electromagnetic radiation is pictured as waves flowing through space at the speed of light. These waves carry energy and have specific directions, frequencies and polarizations. These states are referred to as the various “propagating mode of the electromagnetic field.” Since each of these modes is subject to the uncertainty principle, it must have a certain minimum energy (given by the formula hf/2). Although the modes carry minuscule amounts of energy, the number of modes is enormous. The product of the energy per mode and the huge number of modes yields a very high theoretical energy per cubic centimeter:

From this line of reasoning, quantum physics predicts that all of space must be filled with electromagnetic zero-point fluctuations (also called the zero-point field) creating a universal sea of zero-point energy. www.calphysics.org.

The Cal Tech group consider that since space breaks down into a quantum foam at the tiny distance specified by the Planck scale (of 10^-33 centimeters), the zero point fluctuations might cease at the related Planckian frequency, of !0⁴³ Hertz. In this case, “the zero-point energy density would be 110 orders of magnitude greater than the radiant energy at the center of the Sun.” (www.calphysics.org.)
      The existence of the zero-point field has long lurked in the background of modern science, and quantum theory in particular. Historically, scientists have dealt with the enigmas posed by the mathematics of quantum theory by a process of the “re-normalization” of quantum field equations. Thus, when the mathematics of quantum theory lead to infinite values, theorists eliminate the infinities through the “re-normalization” of quantum field theories. Thus, positive infinities are used to cancel out negative infinities to add up to zero, and other mathematical practices are used to leave a finite residue. The infinities are “exorcized” through the tricks of re-normalization.
    However, the idea of a vacuum being simply empty space is no longer valid. If all matter and radiation were extracted from a volume of space, this space is still permeated by the zero-point field with its ceaseless electromagnetic fluctuations. One author, B. Haisch, explains: “if you add up all these ceaseless fluctuations, what you get is a background sea of light whose total energy is enormous: the zero-point field. The “zero-point” refers to the fact that even though this energy is huge, it is the lowest possible energy state. All other energy is over and above the zero-point state.” (Www.science-spirit.org)
    The universe floats on this vast sea of light. However, because this zero-point energy permeates everything and is the lowest possible energy state, it is invisible and unobservable to us. It is completely uniform and pervades us from every direction.   The world of light that we do see is over and above the zero-point field. Just how deep is this underlying quantum sea of light? One author reports: “It has been calculated that the total energy of the Zero Point Field exceeds all energy in matter by a factor of 10⁴⁰, or 1 followed by 40 zeros.” (McTaggart, 2002, p. 21)

    In a Scientific American article (1997), staff writer P. Yam explores the controversial idea of extracting energy from the underlying zero-point field. The article Exploiting the zero-point energy has the caption: “Energy fills empty space, but is there a lot to be tapped, as some propound? Probably not?” The article notes that exactly how much zero point energy is within the vacuum is “unknown,” and the conventional view has been that there is very little. However, there is a core of researchers who “think that the 21st century could be the zero-point energy age.” The implications of being able to tap the zero point fields would be utterly profound–in terms of alternate energy sources and possible means for space travel.   Of course, researchers in the zero point camp are criticized by more orthodox theorists for their highly speculative claims, and lack of scientific data.
    The zero-point theory is also being used to explain the concepts of mass and inertia in a different way, and to question the traditional understanding of gravity. In reference to inertia, which is the resistance which material objects have acceleration, the new idea is that it is due to the “drag effects of moving through the zero-point field.” Matter resists acceleration as it interacts with fields of virtual particles. In this case, a zero point “wake”is left behind as an object moves through space, with virtual particles continuously popping in and out of existence, and moving in relation to the material particles. Both inertia and gravity could be due to the interaction between the electromagnetic quantum vacuum and the fundamental charged particles (quarks and electrons) which compose matter.
    In the case of gravity, an object fixed above the earth would experience the “electromagnetic momentum flux” created by the earth within the zero point field, and this gives rise to its weight and acceleration towards the earth. Gravitational effects are thus produced by “asymmetry” within the quantum vacuum. One futuristic idea is that the advanced forms of propulsion for space travel could involve modifying the electromagnetic quantum vacuum and/or its interaction with matter, to nullify inertial and gravitational forces. (Www.calphysics.org)   The search for such mysteries of zero point energies and fields has long been explored as explanations for UFO propulsion, anti-gravity devices and spacecraft.
    McTaggart (2002) also points out that since all subatomic matter is continually interacting with the zero point field, this may create a record of everything which happens. She describes the Zero Point Field as “a kind of shadow of the universe for all time, a mirror image and record of everything that ever was. In a sense, the vacuum is the beginning and the end of everything in the universe.” (p. 46) The zero point field embodies information about the whole, just as does David Bohm’s implicate and super-implicate orders.

Certainly, the newest concepts of the zero point field are quite startling. Space itself has a depth and is a plenum. The vast energies and information latent within the zero point field permeate all of matter, sustaining the phenomena of the created world. Contemporary physics, far from arriving at the end of science, is encountering even stranger and fantastic possibilities. B. Haisch and A. Rueda, of the CalTech physics group comment: “... we dare to predict that physics and astrophysics of the 21st century are going to love the quantum vacuum.” (2003)
The zero-point field is a new approach to the traditional idea of the “ether,” although most scientists shy away from using the term ether due to its supposed historic disputation, by early researchers who were unable to find an “ether drift.” However, space itself, at the level of the quantum vacuum is a pleroma of energies and virtual particles, and it provides a medium for physical manifestation. Physicist P. Davies comments: “So clearly the quantum vacuum resembles the ether,” which he refers to as the “quantum ether.” (2001, p.33) H. P. Blavatsky describes exactly this idea–that Space itself, not the created space-time complex, but the underlying “Eternal Parent Space” with its “Ceaseless Breath” or movement, is the foundation for all physical manifestation. This Space is labeled as the Aether. The zero point field is similarly an Aether, or ether–the invisible foundation for physical manifestation.

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