Pulsating Casimir force

Abstract

Based on the Lifshitz theory we show that the illumination of one (Si) plate in the three-layer systems Au--ethanol--Si, Si--ethanol--Si and $\alpha$-Al${}_2$O${}_3$--ethanol--Si with laser pulses can change the Casimir attraction to Casimir repulsion and vice versa. The proposed effect opens novel opportunities in nanotechnology to actuate the periodic movement in electro- and optomechanical micromachines based entirely on the zero-point oscillations of the quantum vacuum without the action of mechanical springs.

9 pages, 4 figures, to appear in J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. (Fast Track Communication)

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• Recent Developments in the Casimir Effect
• Control of the Casimir Force Using Semiconductor Test Bodies
• Why Screening Effects Do Not Influence the Casimir Force
• Van der Waals and Casimir interactions between atoms and carbon nanotubes
• Casimir free energy of dielectric films: Classical limit, low-temperature behavior and control
• Repulsive and attractive Casimir interactions in liquids
• Fluid sensitive nanoscale switching with quantum levitation controlled by $\alpha$-Sn/$\beta$-Sn phase transition
• Vacuum fluctuation forces between ultra-thin films
• A study of the electromagnetic fluctuation induced forces on thin metallic films
• Normal and lateral Casimir force: Advances and prospects
• The Casimir free energy of peptide films on a silicon substrate: Impact of dielectric-to-metal transition in silicon and nanoparticles in peptide