Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 54: Poster 3

Q 54.85: Poster

Thursday, March 15, 2012, 16:30–19:00, Poster.I+II

A critical review of theories for quantum friction — •Gregor Pieplow, Harald R. Haakh, and Carsten Henkel — Universität Potsdam

Quantum friction is a force mediated by the electromagnetic field at T=0, that opposes the relative motion of two objects. Typical systems consist of charges, neutral particles, or dielectric bodies moving with constant velocity above or through a medium. The mere existence and the precise expression for such friction forces have been the topic of discussions since the 1970s. We present a common theoretical framework based on linear response theory of the media in question. This requires the study of response functions, such as reflection coefficients and Green’s tensors, and of the action of the Lorentz group on the multipole moments of the moving particle and on the fields above (or in) the medium. Our approach recovers formalisms used by other authors and provides a classification of previous treatments. In particular, we can narrow down the origin of differences between authors, to the description of electromagnetic field modes in the material. This also provides an interpretation of quantum friction in analogy to Cerenkov radiation and the dynamical Casimir effect.