Quantum fluctuations Definition and 60 Threads

Some physicists are giving up on physical particles and talking about quantum fluctuations in a vacuum. So, what exactly is a quantum fluctuation in a vacuum?

There is a new theory being put forth that gravity may amplify vacuum energy to the point that the amplified vacuum energy may predominate over classical vacuum energy, which would cause it to influence astrophysical processes: http://www.physorg.com/news193330592.html It's just a...

http://www.physorg.com/news193330592.html In the above article, a mechanism is suggested whereby a massive body gains mass from quantum fluctuations. This seems to contradict Hawking Radiation, where interaction with virtual particles result in a (very) massive body radiating away energy! Why...

Hi! I'm not sure if my post is in the correct sub-forum, but I think 'Quantum Physics' will result in more detailed answers.. I'm not a physicist, I'm a mathematician and don't know too much about Quantum Theory, just the basics. I've read some stuffs about the issue, introdutory books, this...

It is my understanding that quantum fluctuations arise from implications of the Uncertainty Principle. Specifically: http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/b/d/1/bd1bb25a5159f9c74803afca6ad65935.png And that this means that conservation of energy can appear to be violated for a set time "T."...

Im trying to understand inflation, specially the part of structure formation, so I am following Mukhanov's Book. There he does an analysis on quantum fluctuations, more specifically he quantize the Newtonian potential and finds the power spectrum and turns out to be scale invariant. I kind of...

I'm just confused on this point. The Uncertainty Principle states that there is always a minimum of uncertainty on small scales, leading to quantum fluctuations. However, can we say that quantum fluctuations of spacetime are quantum fluctuations of energy or are they different?

In the heat death of the universe? where would it get its energy needed to fluctuate?

Brian Greene in "The Fabric of the Cosmos" gives the above three as indirect, universal fields in which we exist but have not yet directly detected. Could they be mathematically interlinked among themselves or with immediately observable phenomena?

Hey guys! As of lately, I've indulged deeply into the entire affair of Quantum Mechanics, field theories and the like, all in an attempt to comprehend how the universe came out to be, what caused it, and what is it's ultimate fate. Despite my sincere efforts, and after reading plenty of...