Modern Experiments on Atom-Surface Casimir Physics
Abstract
In this chapter we review past and current experimental approaches to measuring the long-range interaction between atoms and surfaces, the so-called Casimir-Polder force. These experiments demonstrate the importance of going beyond the perfect conductor approximation and stipulate the relevance of the Dzyaloshinskii-Lifshitz-Pitaevskii theory. We discuss recent generalizations of that theory, that include higher multipole polarizabilities, and present a list of additional effects, that may become important in future Casimir-Polder experiments. Among the latter, we see great potential for spectroscopic techniques, atom interferometry, and the manipulation of ultra-cold quantum matter (e.g. BEC) near surfaces. We address approaches based on quantum reflection and discuss the atomic beam spin-echo experiment as a particular example. Finally, some of the advantages of Casimir-Polder techniques in comparison to Casimir force measurements between macroscopic bodies are presented.
Recommended Citation
M. F. De Kieviet et al., "Modern Experiments on Atom-Surface Casimir Physics," Lecture Notes in Physics, vol. 834, pp. 393 - 418, Springer Verlag, Jun 2011.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20288-9_12
Department(s)
Physics
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-3642202872
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0075-8450
Document Type
Book - Chapter
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2011 Springer Verlag, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jun 2011
