Temperature dependence of the Casimir effect

Abstract

The temperature dependence of the Casimir force between a real metallic plate and a metallic sphere is analyzed on the basis of optical data concerning the dispersion relation of metals such as gold and copper. Realistic permittivities imply, together with basic thermodynamic considerations, that the transverse electric zero mode does not contribute. This results in observable differences with the conventional prediction, which does not take this physical requirement into account. The results are shown to be consistent with the third law of thermodynamics, as well as being not inconsistent with current experiments. However, the predicted temperature dependence should be detectable in future experiments. The inadequacies of approaches based on ad hoc assumptions, such as the plasma dispersion relation and the use of surface impedance without transverse momentum dependence, are discussed.

Geometric origin of negative Casimir entropies: A scattering-channel analysis

“…During the last decade or so various papers have focused on the entropy related to the Casimir interactions between two solid bodies [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. An important reason for this interest lies in the fact that the Casimir entropy can reach negative values.…”

Casimir interaction at liquid nitrogen temperature: Comparison between experiment and theory

“…These results have led to a critical discussion (see, e.g., Refs. [35][36][37][38] ) which continues to the present day. Specifically, it was hypothesized 39 that the effect of large surface patches might bring the measurement data 25 in agreement with theory taking the relaxation properties of electrons into account.…”

Tests of new physics from precise measurements of the Casimir pressure between two gold-coated plates

“…(3) and (4) can be found in Refs. [21,22]. The theoretical Casimir pressures were computed by using both Eqs.…”