4 research outputs found
Present status of controversies regarding the thermal Casimir force
It is well known that, beginning in 2000, the behavior of the thermal
correction to the Casimir force between real metals has been hotly debated. As
was shown by several research groups, the Lifshitz theory, which provides the
theoretical foundation for the calculation of both the van der Waals and
Casimir forces, leads to different results depending on the model of metal
conductivity used. To resolve these controversies, the theoretical
considerations based on the principles of thermodynamics and new experimental
tests were invoked. We analyze the present status of the problem (in
particular, the advantages and disadvantages of the approaches based on the
surface impedance and on the Drude model dielectric function) using rigorous
analytical calculations of the entropy of a fluctuating field. We also discuss
the results of a new precise experiment on the determination of the Casimir
pressure between two parallel plates by means of a micromechanical torsional
oscillator.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figure, iopart.cls is used, to appear in J. Phys. A
(special issue: Proceedings of QFEXT05, Barcelona, Sept. 5-9, 2005
Comment on "On the temperature dependence of the Casimir effect"
Recently, Brevik et al. [Phys. Rev. E 71, 056101 (2005)] adduced arguments
against the traditional approach to the thermal Casimir force between real
metals and in favor of one of the alternative approaches. The latter assumes
zero contribution from the transverse electric mode at zero frequency in
qualitative disagreement with unity as given by the thermal quantum field
theory for ideal metals. Those authors claim that their approach is consistent
with experiments as well as with thermodynamics. We demonstrate that these
conclusions are incorrect. We show specifically that their results are
contradicted by four recent experiments and also violate the third law of
thermodynamics (the Nernst heat theorem).Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, changed in accordance with the final published
versio
Calculation of the Casimir Force between Similar and Dissimilar Metal Plates at Finite Temperature
The Casimir pressure is calculated between parallel metal plates, containing
the materials Au, Cu, or Al. Our motivation for making this calculation is the
need of comparing theoretical predictions, based on the Lifshitz formula, with
experiments that are becoming gradually more accurate. In particular, the
finite temperature correction is considered, in view of the recent discussion
in the literature on this point. A special attention is given to the case where
the difference between the Casimir pressures at two different temperatures,
T=300 K and T=350 K, is involved. This seems to be a case that will be
experimentally attainable in the near future, and it will be a critical test of
the temperature correction.Comment: 23 latex pages, 12 figures. Introductory section expanded, 4 new
references. To appear in J. Phys. A: Math. Ge
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.