Mid-term report for the ESF Research Networking Programme: NEW TRENDS AND APPLICATIONS OF THE CASIMIR EFFECT (CASIMIR)

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ESF Research Networking Programme NEW TRENDS AND
APPLICATIONS OF THE CASIMIR EFFECT
Presenter / CASIMIR chairman George Palasantzas
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What is the Casimir effect ?.....
First high accuracy measurement in 1997 by S.
Lamoreaux
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Real dissipative materials ....Lifshitz theory
(1955)
ri Fresnel reflection coefficients for s (TE
mode) p (TM mode) polarization
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Program objectives
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Contributing organizations
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Network core research topics
Casimir effect measurement and theory ?Casimir
force in complex geometries and novel topologies
control of Casimir force applications to
MEMS/NEMS patterned or corrugated surfaces,
nanospheres, small spheroïd shaped bodies, edge
effects, vacuum torques, beyond proximity force
approximation (PFA) measurements and
calculations. ?New materials and their optical
properties Carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles,
metamaterials, quasicrystals, superconductors,
photonic crystals, phase change
materials ?Repulsive and lateral Casimir forces
?Thermal Casimir effects ?Applications in
nanophysics, biophysics, and disordered systems
Challenges in vacuum properties ?Casimir effect,
vacuum energy, gravity and cosmology ?Casimir
effect and tests of the equivalence
principle ?Dynamical Casimir effect
Related Casimir topics ?Critical Casimir Forces
?Dispersion forces in liquids ?Casimir Polder
interaction with BEC and molecules ?Quantum
friction and Casimir momentum
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Future planning

• Popularity of QED fluctuations (both experiment
  and theory)
• Connect Casimir effect with world (Nanotechnology
  fundamental physics)
• Casimir-Polder effect
• Drude Plasma model discrepancy in relation to
  existing/new force data
• Casimir repulsive forces
• Biology and dispersion forces (biomolecule
  recognition by selective van der Waals/Casimir
  dispersion forces)
• Calculations and applications of Casimir
  dispersive forces
• Electrostatics patch effects on contact
  potentials
• Nanoparticles size effects on dispersion forces
  
• van der Waals/Gecko superadhesion for various
  types of rough surfaces and applications to
  robots, superadhesive tapes etc

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Indicative results
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Indicative results
Proof-of-concept device
Quantum (van der Waals) Friction
Au-Au
Au-HOPG
PRL 2011
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(No Transcript)
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Conclusions
?CASIMIR program has developed rapidly almost
doubling size more than 200
publications ? Novel experiments concerning the
static or dynamic Casimir effect have been
developed by groups (AFM, MEMS) ? Casimir force
calculations using numerous different methods ?
Research efforts have been strongly supported by
short visits, exchange grants and science
meetings ? More science meetings are planned for
the remaining years ? Try to establish strong
links with industry and contribute to the
broader EU economy ? CASIMIR is part of several
activities within EU national programs,
and international collaborations with Americas
Acknowledgements ESF, 11 countries member
groups
Thank you for your attention