Description
Book SynopsisThis book presents a self-contained derivation of van der Waals and Casimir type dispersion forces, covering the interactions between two atoms but also between microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic objects of various shapes and materials. It also presents detailed and general prescriptions for finding the normal modes and the interactions in layered systems of planar, spherical and cylindrical types, with two-dimensional sheets, such as graphene incorporated in the formalism.
A detailed derivation of the van der Waals force and Casimir-Polder force between two polarizable atoms serves as the starting point for the discussion of forces: Dispersion forces, of van der Waals and Casimir type, act on bodies of all size, from atoms up to macroscopic objects. The smaller the object the more these forces dominate and as a result they play a key role in modern nanotechnology through effects such as stiction. They show up in almost all fields of science, including physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, and even cosmology.
Written by a condensed matter physicist in the language of condensed matter physics, the book shows readers how to obtain the electromagnetic normal modes, which for metallic systems, is especially useful in the field of plasmonics.
Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Part I - Background Material.- Electromagnetic.- Complex Analysis.- Statistical Physics.- Electromagnetic Normal Modes.- Different Approaches.- General Method to find the Normal Modes in Layered Structures.- Part II - Non-retarded Formalism: van der Waals.- Van der Waals Force.- Van der Waals Interaction in Planar Structures.- Van der Waals Interaction in Spherical Structures.- Van der Waals Interaction in Cylindrical Structures.- Part III - Fully Retarded Formalism: Casimir.- Casimir Interaction.- Dispersion Interaction in Planar Structures.- Dispersion Interaction in Spherical Structures.- Dispersion Interaction in Cylindrical Structures.- Summary and Outlook.
