Berlin 2014 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 35: Quantum effects: QED I

Q 35.1: Group Report

Thursday, March 20, 2014, 10:30–11:00, DO26 208

Casimir-Polder forces: quantum friction to cross-polarisable media — •Stefan Yoshi Buhmann — Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Quantum friction is a predicted contact-less drag force on two moving parallel dielectric plates. A simple model case to discuss this contested vacuum shear force is the Casimir–Polder force on a ground-state atom moving parallel to a plate. Using macroscopic quantum electrodynamics, we predict a friction force which converts the atom’s kinetic energy into heat [1]. For an excited atom, we find that resonantly enhanced quantum friction or acceleration is possible [2].

To describe the same process from the perspective of a moving plate, one notes that to an observer at rest, moving dielectrics appear to exhibit electromagnetic cross-susceptibilities. We outline a quantisation scheme for the electromagnetic field for linear, cross-polarisable media [3]. We show that such media give rise to discriminatory Casimir–Polder forces on chiral molecules and that they could be used to detect CP-violating effects in molecules [4].

[1] S. Scheel and S. Y. Buhmann, Phys. Rev. A 80 (4), 042902 (2009).

[2] S. Y. Buhmann, Dispersion Forces II – Many-Body Effects, Excited Atoms, Finite Temperature and Quantum Friction, (Springer, Heidelberg, 2012).

[3] S. Y. Buhmann, D. T. Butcher and S. Scheel, New J. Phys. 14, 083034 (2012).

[4] D. T. Butcher, S. Y. Buhmann and S. Scheel, New J. Phys. 14, 113013 (2012).