Summary

This paper is a report by the author to the Air Force on a search for possible experiments which could be used to prove or disprove the theory by Haish, Rueda, and Puthoff that the inertial mass of a body can be directly attributed to the zero point fluctuation of the quantum vacuum. While the author reports that he was unsuccessful in finding a doable experiment which can provide definitive prove, a number of experiments are suggested that could yield positive proof of the concept. However, if the experiment does not show the expected result it does not imply the HRP theory is wrong. Also, additional experiments are described which could yield significant insights into the physical nature of the vacuum.

Abstract

This report summarizes an attempt to find an experiment that would test the Haisch, Rueda, and Puthoff (HRP) conjecture that the mass and inertia of a body are induced effects brought about by changes in the quantum-fluctuation energy of the vacuum. It was not possible, however, to identify a definitive experiment. But, it was possible to identify an experiment that might be able to prove or disprove that the inertial mass of a body can be altered by making changes in the vacuum surrounding the body. Other experiments, which do not involve mass modification, but which teach something about the vacuum, were also defined and included in a ranked list of experiments. This report also contains an annotated bibliography.

Paper