Casimir Effect Space Propulsion Part IV

Could it really work?

As I've said previously, for the last 24 years or so, I have thought that a net Casimir force would probably be exerted on a thin metal plate covered with extremely small tapered holes on one side only. Is this idea "forever impossible", or might it be possible, and just "ahead of its time"? 

As always, the only way to be certain about whether any new idea will work is to build a physical prototype, and test it.

Back in 1994, I tried to do exactly that.

Specification drawing for foil with tapered holes.
The drawing was originally A3 size, so some notes may not be clear.
Alt 1 (on the left) is most relevant for a Casimir Effect force generator. It is for a metal foil 1 micron thick, with hole diameter 0.1 micron at the top surface.

Request for Quote

The above image shows a specification drawing that I commissioned in October 1994 (with a few names edited out; otherwise original). I sent it, with a request to quote for any of the foils shown, to a few specialist materials suppliers. I received only one reply, from Goodfellow Cambridge Limited. It's short enough to quote in full:—

    Thank you for your enquiry.

    We regret that we are unable to manufacture any of the foils shown in your drawing 9410-3-01.

So, twenty years ago no-one could supply the requested foils, or at least no-one was prepared to say to a member of the public that they could supply them. So I was unable to make any further progress with this idea.

Whether these foils could be supplied now (2014) I do not know. My guess is that if they really do act as Casimir force generators, it would be very unlikely now that anyone who could make them would be willing (or even permitted?) to sell them openly.