Force from Equilibrium Quantum Fluctuation
Normal Casimir Force:
"On
the attraction between two perfectly conducting plates," H.B.G.
Casimir, Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet. 51,
793 (1948)
Quantum fluctuations
of electromagnetic field in the vacuum leads to an attractive force between perfect mirrors
"The
Theory of Molecular Attractive Forces Between Solids," E.M.
Lifshitz, Soviet Physics 2,
73 (1956),
Generalizes above by considering fluctuating current sources in the bodies, and at finite temperatures.
Since 1995 confirmed in myriad experiments.
Lateral Casimir Force: A sideways
force to "align" corrugated plates into position of minimum energy:
"Mechanical
Response of Vacuum," Golestanian, & Kardar, Phys.
Rev. Lett. 78, 3421 (1997)
"Probing the Strong Boundary Shape Dependence of the Casimir Force,"
Emig, Hanke, Golestanian, & Kardar, Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 260402 (2001)
"Demonstration
of the Lateral Casimir Force," F. Chen, U. Mohideen, et.
al , Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 101801 (2002)
