Nanoscale transfer of angular momentum mediated by the Casimir torque

Journal Article · 25 June 2019 · Communications Physics

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-019-0163-3 · OSTI ID:1544683

Sanders, Steven ^[1]; de Melo Kort-Kamp, Wilton Junior  ^[2]; Dalvit, Diego Alejandro Roberto  ^[2]; Manjavacas, Alejandro  ^[1]

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1. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Casimir interactions play an important role in the dynamics of nanoscale objects. Here, we investigate the noncontact transfer of angular momentum at the nanoscale through the analysis of the Casimir torque acting on a chain of rotating nanoparticles. We show that this interaction, which arises from the vacuum and thermal fluctuations of the electromagnetic field, enables an efficient transfer of angular momentum between the elements of the chain. Working within the framework of fluctuational electrodynamics, we derive analytical expressions for the Casimir torque acting on each nanoparticle in the chain, which we use to study the synchronization of chains with different geometries and to predict unexpected dynamics, including a “rattleback”-like behavior. Our results provide insights into the Casimir torque and how it can be exploited to achieve efficient noncontact transfer of angular momentum at the nanoscale, and therefore have important implications for the control and manipulation of nanomechanical devices.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
• Grant/Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1544683
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-18-29153
• Journal Information: Communications Physics, Vol. 2, Issue 1; ISSN 2399-3650
• Publisher: Springer NatureCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English