Spatial dispersion in Casimir forces: A brief review

Abstract

We present the basic principles of non-local optics in connection with the calculation of the Casimir force between half-spaces and thin films. At currently accessible distances $L$, non-local corrections amount to about half a percent, but they increase roughly as 1/L at smaller separations. Self consistent models lead to corrections with the opposite sign as models with abrupt surfaces.

Proceedings of QFEXT05, Barcelona, Sept. 5-9, 2005