Casimir forces in spherically symmetric dielectric media

Yael Avni, Ulf Leonhardt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The most well-known manifestation of the Casimir effect is the attraction of two uncharged conducting plates. However, it turns out that Casimir forces are all around us: they originate from vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field that excite dipoles in dielectric and conducting materials. These dipoles then interact with each other, generating measurable forces between macroscopic bodies: the Casimir force. A naive calculation of the Casimir force produces infinities, and though extensive work has been done in the field, there is still no universal prescription to renormalize the force. In this paper, we introduce the subject of Casimir forces and focus on the Casimir self-stress inside a homogeneous sphere. We discuss previous calculations and suggest an additional renormalization scheme that could solve the problem.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi"
Subtitle of host publicationFoundations of Quantum Theory
EditorsWolfgang P. Schleich, Sabine Wolk, Ernst M. Rasel
PublisherIOS Press
Pages309-314
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781614999362
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event2016 International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi" on the Foundations of Quantum Theory - Varenna, Italy
Duration: 8 Jul 201613 Jul 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi"
Volume197

Conference

Conference2016 International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi" on the Foundations of Quantum Theory
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityVarenna
Period8/07/1613/07/16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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