Published August 29, 2008 | Version v1
Journal article

Anomalous Temperature Dependence of the Casimir Force for Thin Metal Films

  • 1. Advanced Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198 (Japan) and Department of Physics, Center for Theoretical Physics, Applied Physics Program, Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1040 (United States)
  • 2. A. Ya. Usikov Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 61085 Kharkov (Ukraine)
  • 3. Advanced Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198 (Japan) and Department of Physics, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU (United Kingdom)
  • 4. Advanced Science Institute, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198 (Japan)

Description

Within the framework of the Drude dispersive model, we predict an unusual nonmonotonic temperature dependence of the Casimir force for thin metal films. For certain conditions, this force decreases with temperature due to the decrease of the metallic conductivity, whereas the force increases at high temperatures due to the increase of the thermal radiation pressure. We consider the attraction of a film to: either (i) a bulk ideal metal with a planar boundary, or (ii) a bulk metal sphere (lens). The experimental observation of the predicted decreasing temperature dependence of the Casimir force can put an end to the long-standing discussion on the role of the electron relaxation in the Casimir effect

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review Letters
Journal Volume
101
Journal Issue
9
Journal Page Range
p. 096803-096803.4
ISSN
0031-9007
CODEN
PRLTAO

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
40015539
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
CASIMIR EFFECT; ELECTRONS; FILMS; METALS; SPHERES; TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE; THERMAL RADIATION
Descriptors DEC
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; ELEMENTS; FERMIONS; LEPTONS; RADIATIONS

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2008 The American Physical Society