GAMMA-RAY BURSTS, NEUTRON-STAR QUAKES, AND THE CASIMIR EFFECT

We propose that the dynamic Casimir effect is a mechanism that convert s the energy of neutron starquakes into gamma-rays. This mechanism eff iciently produces photons from electromagnetic Casimir energy released by the rapid motion of a dielectric medium into a vacuum. Estimates b ased on the cut-off energy of the gamma-ray bursts and the volume invo lved in a starquake indicate that the total gamma-ray energy emission is consonant with observational requirements.