在真空中放置一对平行的金属板（间距很小），两板会由于一个微弱（可测出）的力而有相互靠近的趋势。这种Casimir效应可用量子理论中的零点能（ZPE）解释。科学家们都认为Casimir力存在，但对其产生的原因却有不同看法。空虚空间是否具有能量，其答案或许将决定宇宙的命运。在自然界和人类实验室中，有许多异常现象可用Casimir效应及挠场理论作出说明。

Put two metal sheets very close together in vacuum, we'll find they attract each other with a small but measurable force. The explanation for the Casimir effect is that empty space is cracking with zero-point energy(ZPE), a phenomenon arising from quantum theory, and this energy pushes the metal plates together. All scientists agree that such a force does exist, but the trouble is physicists can't agree on what it means for something to be true. Is empty space really fizzing with energy? Perhaps the answer may determine the fate of the universe. A variety of anomalous phenomena in nature or at laboratories could be explained by the Casimir effect and the torsion field theory.

黄志洵（1936－），男，北京市人，中国传媒大学教授、博士生导师，中国科学院电子学研究所客座研究员