Exact Results for Casimir Interactions between Dielectric Bodies: The Weak-Coupling or van der Waals Limit
- Oklahoma Center for High Energy Physics and Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019 (United States)
In earlier papers, we have applied multiple-scattering techniques to calculate Casimir forces due to scalar fields between different bodies described by delta function potentials. When the coupling to the potentials became weak, closed-form results were obtained. We simplify this weak-coupling technique and apply it to the case of tenuous dielectric bodies, in which case the method involves the summation of van der Waals (Casimir-Polder) interactions. Once again, exact results for finite bodies can be obtained. We present closed formulas describing the interaction between spheres, between cylinders, and between an infinite plate and a rectangular slab of finite size. For such a slab, we consider the torque acting on it and find that nontrivial equilibrium points can occur.
- OSTI ID:
- 21179807
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Vol. 101, Issue 16; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.160402; (c) 2008 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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