arXiv:gr-qc/9702026gr-qc
The unphysical nature of "Warp Drive"
Abstract
We will apply the quantum inequality type restrictions to Alcubierre's warp drive metric on a scale in which a local region of spacetime can be considered ``flat''. These are inequalities that restrict the magnitude and extent of the negative energy which is needed to form the warp drive metric. From this we are able to place limits on the parameters of the ``Warp Bubble''. It will be shown that the bubble wall thickness is on the order of only a few hundred Planck lengths. Then we will show that the total integrated energy density needed to maintain the warp metric with such thin walls is physically unattainable.
One estimate of the total exotic matter required to form a bubble puts it around 10^20 galaxies worth. https://arxiv.org/pdf/gr-qc/9702026.pdf Those insignificant civilizations don't need to worry about pollution, they need to worry about being gobbled up for mass-energy.
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