MIR (Motion Induced Radiation)

Collaboration:

- LNL, Padova
- Sezione INFN di Padova
- Sezione INFN di Pavia
- Sezione INFN di Roma1

Location of the experiment: LNL (Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, INFN)

National Responsible: : D. Zanello ( Roma1)

1. Goal of the experiment

Development of a novel technology, instrumental for the observability of the Dynamic Casimir Effect ( Schwinger Radiation).

More on the experiment…

2.

Activities during 2002

During the year 2002 there have been only preliminary studies on the theory of the phenomenon and on the experimental difficulties for the detection of the produced radiation.

The conclusion of this work has been that the main experimental difficulty lies in the realisation of a moving reflective wall capable of vibrating at frequencies around 10^9 Hz.The solution we propose involves the use of semiconductors and of an illuminating laser.

Milestones 2003:

A test of the feasibility of the proposed solution at such high frequencies is the milestone for year 2003.We already know that this is not possible with silicon, but it might be possible with direct-band semiconductors such as GaAs.

Radiation emission by the semiconductor due to the laser illumination will also be explored, but most likely in 2004.

3. INFN contribution to the experiment in terms of manpower and financial support

· Manpower: 8 Researchers ( 4.5 FTE)

· Budget for the Year 2003: 0.6% of the CSNII budget

4. Publications in referred journals (in 2002): 0 (new experiment)

5. Conference talks (in 2002): 0 (new experiment)

6. Number of undergraduate and doctoral thesis on the experiment: 0 (new experiment)

7. Leadership roles and primary responsibilities in the experiment:

D. Zanello, spokesperson

8. Innovative instruments

9. Competing experiments

None

10. International committee which has reviewed the experiment