Van der Waals chain: a simple model for Casimir forces in dielectrics

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2310.12356v1
• Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2023 21:58:10 GMT
• Title: Van der Waals chain: a simple model for Casimir forces in dielectrics
• Authors: H. Horner, L. M. Rachbauer, S. Rotter, U. Leonhardt
• Abstract summary: We develop a simple model for the Casimir forces inside a medium that is completely free of renormalization. We argue that short-range counter forces in the medium prevent this collapse in reality. Our model also allows us to derive an elementary analogue of the trace anomaly of quantum fields in curved space.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: The Casimir force between dielectric bodies is well-understood, but not the Casimir force inside a dielectric, in particular its renormalization. We develop and analyse a simple model for the Casimir forces inside a medium that is completely free of renormalization and show then how renormalization emerges. We consider a one-dimensional chain of point particles interacting with each other by scattering the zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field confined to one dimension. We develop a fast, efficient algorithm for calculating the forces on each particle and apply it to study the macroscopic limit of infinitely many, infinitely weak scatterers. The force density converges for piece-wise homogeneous media, but diverges in inhomogeneous media, which would cause instant collapse in theory. We argue that short-range counter forces in the medium prevent this collapse in reality. Their effect appears as the renormalization of the Casimir stress in dielectrics. Our simple model also allows us to derive an elementary analogue of the trace anomaly of quantum fields in curved space.

Related papers

• Quantum electrodynamics of lossy magnetodielectric samples in vacuum: modified Langevin noise formalism [55.2480439325792]
  We analytically derive the modified Langevin noise formalism from the established canonical quantization of the electromagnetic field in macroscopic media. We prove that each of the two field parts can be expressed in term of particular bosonic operators, which in turn diagonalize the electromagnetic Hamiltonian.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-04-07T14:37:04Z)
• A non-hermitean momentum operator for the particle in a box [49.1574468325115]
  We show how to construct the corresponding hermitean Hamiltonian for the infinite as well as concrete example. The resulting Hilbert space can be decomposed into a physical and unphysical subspace.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-03-20T12:51:58Z)
• Casimir repulsion with biased semiconductors [1.8273673942018027]
  We explore systems involving moderately biased semiconductors that exhibit strong repulsive Casimir forces. Modes emitted from the semiconductors exert a repulsive force on a near surface that overcomes the attractive equilibrium Casimir force contribution at submicron distances. Our work opens up new possibilities of controlling forces at the nano- and micrometer scale with applications in sensing and actuation in nanotechnology.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-03-14T00:04:13Z)
• Efficient Reduction of Casimir Forces by Self-assembled Bio-molecular Thin Films [62.997667081978825]
  Casimir forces, related to London-van der Waals forces, arise if the spectrum of electromagnetic fluctuations is restricted by boundaries. We experimentally investigate the influence of self-assembled molecular bio and organic thin films on the Casimir force between a plate and a sphere. We find that molecular thin films, despite being a mere few nanometers thick, reduce the Casimir force by up to 14%.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-06-28T13:44:07Z)
• An intuitive picture of the Casimir effect [1.285406944500982]
  The Casimir effect predicts the emergence of an attractive force between two parallel plates in vacuum. This paper overcomes no-go theorems of quantum electrodynamics and obtains a local relativistic quantum description of the electromagnetic field in free space.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-03-27T20:28:17Z)
• A critical discussion of different methods and models in Casimir effect [0.0]
  The Casimir-Lifshitz force is a macroscopic manifestation of the van der Waals forces between atoms and molecules. The Casimir-Lifshitz force plays an important role in surface physics, nanotechnology and biophysics.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-09-30T14:20:01Z)
• Van der Waals Anomaly [0.0]
  We show that the seemingly universal relationship is violated for electromagnetic vacuum forces such as the generalized van der Waals and Casimir forces. The anomaly is a result of renormalization, the need to subtract infinities in the stress for getting a finite, physical force. We propose and analyse an experiment to probe the van der Waals anomaly with ultracold atoms.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-09-16T16:29:56Z)
• Repulsive Casimir-Lifshitz pressure in closed cavities [0.0]
  We consider the interaction pressure acting on the surface of a sphere enclosed within a magnetodielectric cavity. We extend the Dzyaloshinskii-Lifshitz-Pitaevskii result for homogeneous slabs. We present configurations in which both the interaction and the self-energy contribution to the pressure tend to expand the sphere.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-08-05T10:14:57Z)
• General quantum-mechanical solution for twisted electrons in a uniform magnetic field [68.8204255655161]
  A theory of twisted (and other structured) paraxial electrons in a uniform magnetic field is developed. The observable effect of a different behavior of relativistic Laguerre-Gauss beams with opposite directions of the orbital angular momentum penetrating from the free space into a magnetic field is predicted.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-05-13T16:35:10Z)
• The Neutrino Casimir Force [77.34726150561087]
  We calculate the neutrino Casimir force between plates, allowing for two different mass eigenstates within the loop. We discuss the possibility of distinguishing whether neutrinos are Majorana or Dirac fermions using these quantum forces.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-03-24T18:00:02Z)
• Zitterbewegung and Klein-tunneling phenomena for transient quantum waves [77.34726150561087]
  We show that the Zitterbewegung effect manifests itself as a series of quantum beats of the particle density in the long-time limit. We also find a time-domain where the particle density of the point source is governed by the propagation of a main wavefront. The relative positions of these wavefronts are used to investigate the time-delay of quantum waves in the Klein-tunneling regime.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-03-09T21:27:02Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.