182 research outputs found
The Casimir Problem of Spherical Dielectrics: Quantum Statistical and Field Theoretical Approaches
The Casimir free energy for a system of two dielectric concentric nonmagnetic
spherical bodies is calculated with use of a quantum statistical mechanical
method, at arbitrary temperature. By means of this rather novel method, which
turns out to be quite powerful (we have shown this to be true in other
situations also), we consider first an explicit evaluation of the free energy
for the static case, corresponding to zero Matsubara frequency ().
Thereafter, the time-dependent case is examined. For comparison we consider the
calculation of the free energy with use of the more commonly known field
theoretical method, assuming for simplicity metallic boundary surfaces.Comment: 31 pages, LaTeX, one new reference; version to appear in Phys. Rev.
Towards a unification of HRT and SCOZA. Analysis of exactly solvable mean-spherical and generalized mean-spherical models
The hierarchical reference theory (HRT) and the self-consistent
Ornstein-Zernike approximation (SCOZA) are two liquid state theories that both
furnish a largely satisfactory description of the critical region as well as
the phase coexistence and equation of state in general. Furthermore, there are
a number of similarities that suggest the possibility of a unification of both
theories. Earlier in this respect we have studied consistency between the
internal energy and free energy routes. As a next step toward this goal we here
consider consistency with the compressibility route too, but we restrict
explicit evaluations to a model whose exact solution is known showing that a
unification works in that case. The model in question is the mean spherical
model (MSM) which we here extend to a generalized MSM (GMSM). For this case, we
show that the correct solutions can be recovered from suitable boundary
conditions through either of SCOZA or HRT alone as well as by the combined
theory. Furthermore, the relation between the HRT-SCOZA equations and those of
SCOZA and HRT becomes transparent.Comment: Minimal correction of some typos found during proof reading. Accepted
for publication in Phys. Rev.
Analytical and Numerical Verification of the Nernst Theorem for Metals
In view of the current discussion on the subject, an effort is made to show
very accurately both analytically and numerically how the Drude dispersion
model gives consistent results for the Casimir free energy at low temperatures.
Specifically, for the free energy near T=0 we find the leading term to be
proportional to T^2 and the next-to-leading term proportional to T^{5/2}. These
terms give rise to zero Casimir entropy as T approaches zero, and is thus in
accordance with Nernst's theorem.Comment: 19 pages latex, 3 figures. v4: Figures updated. This is the final
version, accepted for publication in Physical Review
PD-0379: Reducing the dose-rate dependence of a new radiochromic silicone based 3D dosimeter
Universal Thermal Radiation Drag on Neutral Objects
We compute the force on a small neutral polarizable object moving at velocity
relative to a photon gas equilibrated at a temperature We find a
drag force linear in . Its physical basis is identical to that in
recent formulations of the dissipative component of the Casimir force. We
estimate the strength of this universal Casimir drag force for different
dielectric response functions and comment on its relevance in various contexts.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure
Thermal limits of summer-collected Pardosa wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) from the Yukon Territory and Greenland
Arctic and sub-Arctic terrestrial ectotherms contend with large daily and seasonal temperature ranges. However, there are few data available on the thermal biology of these high-latitude species, especially arachnids. We determined the lower and upper thermal limits of seven species of wolf spider from the genus Pardosa (Araneae: Lycosidae) collected in summer from the Yukon Territory (Canada) and Southern Greenland. None of these species survived freezing, and while spiderlings appeared freeze-avoidant, surviving to their supercooling point (SCP, the temperature at which they spontaneously freeze), chill-susceptible adults and juveniles died at temperatures above their SCP. The critical thermal minimum (CTmin, the lower temperature of activity) and SCP were very close (spiders continued moving until they freeze), and at − 5.4 to − 8.4 °C, are not substantially lower than those of lower-latitude species. The SCP of spiderlings was significantly lower than that of overwintering juveniles or adults, likely because of their small size. There was no systematic variation in SCP among collection sites, latitude, or species. Critical thermal maxima (CTmax) ranged from + 42.3 to + 46.8 °C, showed no systematic patterns of variation, and were also similar to those of lower-latitude relatives. Overall, heat tolerances of the Pardosa spp. were likely sufficient to tolerate even very warm Arctic summer temperatures, but cold tolerance is probably inadequate to survive winter conditions. We expect that seasonal thermal plasticity is necessary for overwintering in these species
Effects of boundaries and density inhomogeneity on states of vortex matter in Bose--Einstein condensates at finite temperature
Most of the literature on quantum vortices predicting various states of
vortex matter in three dimensions at finite temperatures in quantum fluids is
based on an assumption of an extended and homogeneous system. It is well known
not to be the case in actual Bose--Einstein condensates in traps which are
finite systems with nonuniform density. This raises the question to what extent
one can speak of different aggregate states of vortex matter (vortex lattices,
liquids and tensionless vortex tangle) in these system. To address this point,
in the present work we focus on the finite-size, boundaries and density
inhomogeneity effects on thermal vortex matter in a Bose--Einstein condensate.
To this end we perform Monte Carlo simulations on a model system describing
trapped Bose--Einstein condensates. Throughout the paper, we draw on analogies
with results for vortex matter obtained for extended systems. This work
suggests that finiteness and intrinsic inhomogeneity of the system not
withstanding, one nonetheless can approximately invoke the notion of distinct
aggregate states of vortex matter realized at certain length scales. This might
be helpful, in particular in search of possible new states of vortex matter in
Bose--Einstein condensates with multiple components and different symmetries.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures. Submitted to Physical Review A. High resolution
pictures will be available in published versio
What is the Temperature Dependence of the Casimir Effect?
There has been recent criticism of our approach to the Casimir force between
real metallic surfaces at finite temperature, saying it is in conflict with the
third law of thermodynamics and in contradiction with experiment. We show that
these claims are unwarranted, and that our approach has strong theoretical
support, while the experimental situation is still unclear.Comment: 6 pages, REVTeX, final revision includes two new references and
related discussio
On the Temperature Dependence of the Casimir Effect
The temperature dependence of the Casimir force between a real metallic plate
and a metallic sphere is analyzed on the basis of optical data concerning the
dispersion relation of metals such as gold and copper. Realistic permittivities
imply, together with basic thermodynamic considerations, that the transverse
electric zero mode does not contribute. This results in observable differences
with the conventional prediction, which does not take this physical requirement
into account. The results are shown to be consistent with the third law of
thermodynamics, as well as being consistent with current experiments. However,
the predicted temperature dependence should be detectable in future
experiments. The inadequacies of approaches based on {\it ad hoc} assumptions,
such as the plasma dispersion relation and the use of surface impedance without
transverse momentum dependence, are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 3 eps figures, revtex4. New version includes clarifications
and new reference. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Reply to "Comment on 'Analytic and Numerical Verification of the Nernst Theorem for Metals'"
In this Reply to the preceding Comment of Klimchitskaya and Mostepanenko (cf.
also quant-ph/0703214), we summarize and maintain our position that the Drude
dispersion relation when inserted in the Lifshitz formula gives a
thermodynamically satisfactory description of the Casimir force, also in the
limiting case when the relaxation frequency goes to zero (perfect crystals).Comment: 4 pages, no figures; to appear in Phys. Rev.
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