Quantum Fluctuations and Inertia

Abstract

Vacuum field fluctuations exert a radiation pressure which induces mechanical effects on scatterers. The question naturally arises whether the energy of vacuum fluctuations gives rise to inertia and gravitation in agreement with the general principles of mechanics. As a new approach to this question, we discuss the mechanical effects of quantum field fluctuations on two mirrors building a Fabry-Perot cavity. We first put into evidence that the energy related to Casimir forces is an energy stored on field fluctuations as a result of scattering time delays. We then discuss the forces felt by the mirrors when they move within vacuum field fluctuations, and show that energy stored on vacuum fluctuations contributes to inertia in conformity with the law of inertia of energy. As a further consequence, inertial masses exhibit quantum fluctuations with characteristic spectra in vacuum.