Thermal Casimir versus Casimir-Polder Forces: Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Forces

Journal Article · Fri Jun 27 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.100.253201· OSTI ID:21134074

Buhmann, Stefan Yoshi; Scheel, Stefan ^[1]

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1. Quantum Optics and Laser Science, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2AZ (United Kingdom)

We critically discuss whether and under what conditions Lifshitz theory may be used to describe thermal Casimir-Polder forces on atoms or molecules. An exact treatment of the atom-field coupling reveals that for a ground-state atom (molecule), terms associated with virtual-photon absorption lead to a deviation from the traditional Lifshitz result; they are identified as a signature of nonequilibrium dynamics. Even the equilibrium force on a thermalized atom (molecule) may be overestimated when using the ground-state polarizability instead of its thermal counterpart.

• OSTI ID: 21134074
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 100, Issue 25; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.253201; (c) 2008 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
ATOMS
CASIMIR EFFECT
EQUILIBRIUM
GROUND STATES
MOLECULES
PHOTONS
POLARIZABILITY