Is it possible to Quantum levitate?

While we don't have our hoverboards just yet, we do have the very real phenomenon of quantum levitation, which is almost as good. Under the right circumstances, a specially-made material can be cooled down to low temperatures and placed over a properly-configured magnet, and it will levitate there indefinitely.



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Scientists have discovered a way of levitating ultra small objects by manipulating the Casimir force, which normally causes objects to stick together due to forces predicted by quantum field theory. This is, however, only possible for micro-objects.

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Levitation is accomplished by providing an upward force that counteracts the pull of gravity (in relation to gravity on earth), plus a smaller stabilizing force that pushes the object toward a home position whenever it is a small distance away from that home position.

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Whether an object will or will not levitate in a magnetic field B is defined by the balance between the magnetic force F = M?B and gravity mg = ?V g where ? is the material density, V is the volume and g = 9.8m/s2. The magnetic moment M = (?/ µ0)VB so that F = (?/µ0)BV?B = (?/2µ0)V?B2.

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