Quantum vacuum energy and the Casimir effect

Abstract

An overview of the Casimir e ect is presented. The area of study is historically introduced, together with a basic presentation on the zero-point energy concept in relation with the quantization of elds. After this, the Casimir force between parallel plates is calculated under two di erent regularization schemes. The brief overview is completed with a compilation of experimental results and implications of the e ect in di erent elds of physics.