Casimir-Lifshitz Theory and Metamaterials

Journal Article · Fri May 09 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.100.183602· OSTI ID:21128125

Rosa, F S. S.; Dalvit, D A. R.; Milonni, P W ^[1]

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1. Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

Based on a generalization of the Lifshiftz theory, we calculate Casimir forces involving magnetodielectric and possibly anisotropic metamaterials, focusing on the possibility of repulsive forces. It is found that Casimir repulsion decreases with magnetic dissipation, and even a small Drude background in metallic-based metamaterials acts to make attractive a Casimir force that would otherwise be predicted to be repulsive. The sign of the force also depends sensitively on the degree of optical anisotropy of the metamaterial and on the form of the frequency dependency of the magnetic response.

• OSTI ID: 21128125
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 100, Issue 18; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.183602; (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
ANISOTROPY
CASIMIR EFFECT
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