Theory
From EM Drive
This page will outline some candidate theories of operation (or non-operation).
Debunking Theories
- These theories should be explained, then debunked with the simplest explanation, with a link to a dedicated page to show the work or work in progress that backs up that explanation.
Experimental error
- It's all a hoax/conspiracy
- Simple measuring error
- Thermal effects
- Mechanical vibration
- Magnetic effects with environment
These are discussed in more detail at Possible Error Sources.
Proponent Theories
- Guido Fetta's, Cannae Drive creator's Theory
- Roger Shawyer's, EM Drive creator's theory
- Quantum foam MHD
- Harold White's Quantum vacuum plasma thruster (QVP thruster)
- Harold White's Warp effects
- Evanescent waves[1]
- Transfer of linear momentum from the Quantum Vacuum to magnetoelectric and chiral molecules [2]
- Notsosureofit's theory based on Equivalence Principle[3]
- Mike McCulloch's MiHsC Theory
- Curving Rf beams[4] - The magnitude of the bending needed, was not shown by the thermal camera images taken at Eagleworks.
8/5/14 - Greg Egan obtained an exact solution for the resonant modes (having azimuthal quantum number m=0, constant electromagnetic field variation in the azimuthal direction) of a cavity in the shape of a truncated cone with spherical ends. Greg Egan calculated the forces and showed a proof that the net force is zero and therefore that there is no thrust force in a resonant electromagnetic cavity of any arbitrary shape, and for any arbitrary mode shape, when the cavity is analyzed according to the standing wave solution of Maxwell's equations.
References
- ↑ 2/2/15 post by @aero modeled evanescent waves using MEEP. Conclusion was that, due to rapid dropoff at the frustum surface, these were of insufficient magnitude to explain the thrust.
- ↑ http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36313.msg1330846#msg1330846 and http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36313.msg1333392#msg1333392
- ↑ http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36313.msg1375157#msg1375157
- ↑ Post by @aero