759 research outputs found
Casimir force calculations near the insulator-conductor transition in gold thin films
We present theoretical calculations of the Casimir force for Au thin films
near the insulator-conductor transition that has been observed experimentally.
The dielectric function of the Au thin films is described by the Drude-Smith
model. The parameters needed to model the dielectric function such as the
relaxation time, plasma frequency and the backscattering constant depend on the
thickness of the film. The Casimir force decreases as the film thickness
decreases until it reaches a minimum after which the force increases again. The
minimum of the force coincides with the critical film thickness where a
percolation conductor-insulator occurs.Comment: 5 figures, 1 tabl
Van der Waals torque induced by external magnetic fields
We present a method for inducing and controlling van der Waals torques
between two parallel slabs using a constant magnetic field. The torque is
calculated using the Barash theory of dispersive torques. In III-IV
semiconductors such as , the effect of an external magnetic field is to
induce an optical anisotropy, in an otherwise isotropic material, that will in
turn induce a torque.
The calculations of the torque are done in the Voigt configuration, with the
magnetic field parallel to the surface of the slabs. As a case study we
consider a slab made of calcite and a second slab made of . In the
absence of magnetic field there is no torque. As the magnetic field increases,
the optical anisotropy of increases and the torque becomes different
from zero, increasing with the magnetic field. The resulting torque is of the
same order of magnitude as that calculated using permanent anisotropic
materials when the magnetic fields is close to 1 T.Comment: to appear in Journal of Applied Physic
Variations of the Lifshitz-van der Waals force between metals immersed in liquids
We present a theoretical calculation of the Lifshitz-van der Waals force
between two metallic slabs embedded in a fluid, taking into account the change
of the Drude parameters of the metals when in contact with liquids of different
index of refraction. For the three liquids considered in this work, water,
and the change in the Drude parameters of the metal imply a
difference of up to 15% in the determination of the force at short separations.
These variations in the force is bigger for liquids with a higher index of
refraction.Comment: 2 figures, 1 tabl
Reduction of the Casimir force using aerogels
By using silicon oxide based aerogels we show numerically that the Casimir
force can be reduced several orders of magnitude, making its effect negligible
in nanodevices. This decrease in the Casimir force is also present even when
the aerogels are deposited on metallic substrates. To calculate the Casimir
force we model the dielectric function of silicon oxide aerogels using an
effective medium dielectric function such as the Clausius-Mossotti
approximation. The results show that both the porosity of the aerogel and its
thickness can be use as control parameters to reduce the magnitude of the
Casimir force.Comment: to appear J. Appl. Phy
The role of magnetoplasmons in Casimir force calculations
In this paper we review the role of magneto plasmon polaritons in the Casimir
force calculations. By applying an external constant magnetic field a strong
optical anisotropy is induced on two parallel slabs reducing the reflectivity
and thus the Casimir force. As the external magnetic field increases, the
Casimir force decreases. Thus, with an an external magnetic field the Casimir
force can be controlled.The calculations are done in the Voigt configuration
where the magnetic field is parallel to the slabs. In this configuration the
reflection coefficients for TE and TM modes do not show mode conversion.Comment: contribution to QFEXT09, Norman, Oklahoma 200
Spatial dispersion in Casimir forces: A brief review
We present the basic principles of non-local optics in connection with the
calculation of the Casimir force between half-spaces and thin films.
At currently accessible distances , non-local corrections amount to about
half a percent, but they increase roughly as 1/L at smaller separations. Self
consistent models lead to corrections with the opposite sign as models with
abrupt surfaces.Comment: Proceedings of QFEXT05, Barcelona, Sept. 5-9, 200
Pull-in control due to Casimir forces using external magnetic fields
We present a theoretical calculation of the pull-in control in capacitive
micro switches actuated by Casimir forces, using external magnetic fields. The
external magnetic fields induces an optical anisotropy due to the excitation of
magneto plasmons, that reduces the Casimir force. The calculations are
performed in the Voigt configuration, and the results show that as the magnetic
field increases the system becomes more stable. The detachment length for a
cantilever is also calculated for a cantilever, showing that it increases with
increasing magnetic field. At the pull-in separation, the stiffness of the
system decreases with increasing magnetic field.Comment: accepted for publication in App. Phys. Let
The Use of Rock Shelters During the Early Neolithic in the North of Alicante (Spain). The Site of Penya Roja de Catamarruc (Alicante, Spain) as a Case Study
The first Neolithic communities settled in the East of the Iberian Peninsula developed a complex strategy of land occupation. These strategies evolved as their social, demographic, and economic bases were transformed. In this paper, we focus on the analysis of archaeological sites located under rock shelters, which were recurrently occupied throughout the Early Neolithic. To deepen this analysis, we reviewed the archaeological record of Penya Roja de Catamarruc (Planes, Alicante), as well as other sites of similar characteristics. This information, combined with different spatial analyses – prominence, visibility, and capacity of use of the soils – allowed us to define a series of patterns of occupation and exploitation of the territory of the first Neolithic communities. This study highlights the importance of the forest as a resource related not only to hunting and gathering as traditionally seen, but also to shepherding.Part of the results of this research are in the framework of the doctoral thesis of SMA, who has a training contract with the Vice-Rectorate for Research of the University of Alicante (UAFPU2018-045)
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