Fluctuations of the Casimir-Polder force between an atom and a conducting wall

Journal Article · Sat Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.76.032107· OSTI ID:21015921

Messina, R; Passante, R ^[1]

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1. Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche ed Astronomiche dell'Universita degli Studi di Palermo and CNSIM, Via Archirafi 36, 90123 Palermo (Italy)

We consider quantum fluctuations of the Casimir-Polder force between a neutral atom and a perfectly conducting wall in the ground state of the system. In order to obtain the atom-wall force fluctuation we first define an operator directly associated with the force experienced by the atom considered as a polarizable body in an electromagnetic field and we use a time-averaged force operator in order to avoid ultraviolet divergences appearing in the fluctuation of the force. This time-averaged force operator takes into account that any measurement involves a finite time. We also calculate the Casimir-Polder force fluctuation for an atom between two conducting walls. Experimental observability of these Casimir-Polder force fluctuations is also discussed, as well as the dependence of the relative force fluctuation on the duration of the measurement.

• OSTI ID: 21015921
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 76; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATOMS
CASIMIR EFFECT
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
FLUCTUATIONS
GROUND STATES
ULTRAVIOLET DIVERGENCES