Patterning by Casimir Forces From Chaos to Complex Patterns of Life
Abstract
Different patterns are all around us, with various complexity and shape connecting the natural world (biology and physics) with art,, architecture, and symbolism of all cultures at all times. A long time ago, life emerged and developed from primordial organic soup,by assembling simple molecular structures into intricate patterns and later specialized cells and organs, and this process still con,tinues. According to modern physics, the vacuum is not an empty space but a quantum entity, an energetic Abyss filled with fluctuati,ng fields and virtual particles, temporarily popping up and returning to their non-existence. Surprisingly, virtual particles produc,e real physical forces (commonly known as Casimir forces) between objects at micro-nanoscale distances. The idea that Casimir forces, play a significant role in biology and physics at the nanoscale, in general, has been known for some time.This project links quantu,m vacuum phenomena with fundamental processes of nanopattern formation thatdetermines shapes of the living world. Exploring the temp,erature-driven pattern formation and multiple biophotonic geometries, we plan to explain quantum effects on nanoscale dynamics and,,in general, the emergence, sustainability, and stability of different biological and artificial patterns. The pattern formation and,nanoscale dynamics will be observed using methods of linear and nonlinear optical microscopy and spectroscopy, fluorescence steady-s,tate and time- resolved spectroscopy, and holography.The effects of force between biological or artificial entities in close proximi,ty will be studied as a function of distance and temperature in a controlled environment. They will be gradually separated to see ho,w quantum effects influence nanoscale dynamics and pattern formation.Different femtosecond techniques, such as holographic optical t,weezers and nonlinear high-resolution microscopy, will be used to prepare the structures and control their mutual distance in order,to reveal and moldCasimir interaction.The final aim of the project is to experimentally prove and theoretically reveal the sparks of, nanoscale pattern formation by quantum forces (Casimir effect).In the end, the proposed study also offers the possibility to reveal, the hidden connections between matter and field, which in general connects quantum vacuum with life and products of life, like phil,osophy and culture.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 05, 2022
- Source ID
- N629092212024
Entities
People
- Branko Kolaric
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy