Vacuum energy and the Casimir effect

What is vacuum energy and what causes it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_energy

Hendrik Brugt Gerhard Casimir has caught my interest lately and I'd like to know more about it. Any insightful comments are welcome.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casimir_effect

It has to do with virtual particles, but you'd have to study some quantum electrodynamics to understand better what they are. Feynman himself actually wrote an excellent book on QED for laymen, if you're interested you can get it - it's not very costly. Don't remember if it addresses vacuum energy, though.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
It has to do with virtual particles, but you'd have to study some quantum electrodynamics to understand better what they are. Feynman himself actually wrote an excellent book on QED for laymen, if you're interested you can get it - it's not very costly. Don't remember if it addresses vacuum energy, though.

I've heard of his book. Thanks.

Originally posted by Metal Brain
I've heard of his book. Thanks.

Here is something new in the Casimir effect: Turning virtual particles into real photons:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21228392.700-light-pulled-out-of-empty-space.html

Originally posted by sonhouse
Here is something new in the Casimir effect: Turning virtual particles into real photons:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21228392.700-light-pulled-out-of-empty-space.html

Interesting article. It says kenetic energy is being converted into photons from the vacuum of space. I'm not sure if it explains dark energy, but this is very interesting.

Thanks for sharing!