Casimir experiments showing saturation effects

We address several different Casimir experiments where theory and experiment disagree. First out is the classical Casimir force measurement between two metal half spaces; here both in the form of the torsion pendulum experiment by Lamoreaux and in the form of the Casimir pressure measurement between a gold sphere and a gold plate as performed by Decca et al.; theory predicts a large negative thermal correction, absent in the high precision experiments. The third experiment is the measurement of the Casimir force between a metal plate and a laser irradiated semiconductor membrane as performed by Chen et al.; the change in force with laser intensity is larger than predicted by theory. The fourth experiment is the measurement of the Casimir force between an atom and a wall in the form of the measurement by Obrecht et al. of the change in oscillation frequency of a 87 Rb Bose-Einstein condensate trapped to a fused silica wall; the change is smaller than predicted by theory. We show that saturation effects can explain the discrepancies between theory and experiment observed in all these cases.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure

Casimir effects in systems containing 2D layers, like graphene and 2D electron gases

We present a variety of methods to derive the Casimir interaction in planar systems containing two-dimensional layers. Examples where this can be of use is graphene, graphene-like layers and two-dimensional electron gases. We present results for two free standing layers and for one layer above a substrate. The results can easily be extended to systems with a larger number of layers.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figure, 113 equation

Electromagnetic normal modes and Casimir effects in layered structures

We derive a general procedure for finding the electromagnetic normal modes in layered structures. We apply this procedure to planar, spherical and cylindrical structures. These normal modes are important in a variety of applications. They are the only input needed in calculations of Casimir interactions. We present explicit expression for the condition for modes and Casimir energy for a large number of specific geometries. The layers are allowed to be two-dimensional so graphene and graphene-like sheets as well as two-dimensional electron gases can be handled within the formalism. Also forces on atoms in layered structures are obtained. One side-result is the van der Waals and Casimir-Polder interaction between two atoms.Comment: 50 pages, 21 figures, more than 400 equation

Beyond the simple Proximity Force Approximation: geometrical effects on the non-retarded Casimir interaction

We study the geometrical corrections to the simple Proximity Force Approximation for the non-retarded Casimir force. We present analytical results for the force between objects of various shapes and substrates, and between pairs of objects. We compare the results to those from more exact numerical calculations. We treat spheres, spheroids, cylinders, cubes, cones, and wings; the analytical PFA results together with the geometrical correction factors are summarized in a table.Comment: 18 pages, 19 figures, 1 tabl

Do firms wait to invest? : an empirical investigation

The paper tests a standard real options model of investment using a data set of listed Dutch manufacturing firms over the period of 1984-1997. The threshold value that triggers investment is based on the historical distribution of the profit process and the risk-adjusted discount rate of the firm. The system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimates show that Dutch firms are on average concerned with the option values of investment opportunities. We explore the arguments why firms would be confronted with higher investment hurdles.