An Aether of Zero-Point Particles

There are many theories that invoke the aether in order to explain certain physical phenomena, and each theory has its own definition of what the aether is. Some theories require an aether in order to communicate energy in the form of waves. Other theories require it for other purposes.

The aether required in The Velcro Universe is one in which there is an abundance of readily available low energy photons. I chose to call these particles zero-point photons to make the point that they have so little energy that they are undetectable. They may not be completely without energy. However, for practical purposes, they can be considered to have zero energy.

Zero-point photons fly about at the speed of light, just like any other photon.

Since space is known to be full of neutrinos, also flying about at the speed of light. The aether must be a mix of photons and neutrinos.

When it comes to neutrinos, the same logic applies as to photons. The vast majority of them are undetectable. We have zero-point neutrinos as well as zero-point photons. Collectively, we can refer to these as zero-point particles.

Electron surrounded by zero-point particles

These particles interfere with their detectable counterparts as well as ordinary matter.

Zero-point particles are very small. They have no trouble tunnelling through materials. They are therefore everywhere.

They are not directly detectable, but their effects are well known to us. In their bouncing about, zero-point particles form high and low pressure regions generally referred to as the electric, magnetic, and gravitational fields.