The dynamical Casimir-Polder force in relativistic atomic motion near the surface of a thick plate

Abstract

The dynamical Casimir-Polder force between a neutral atom (in the ground state) and a thick plate in relativistic motion of the atom in the direction parallel to the surface has been calculated. The mate rial properties have been considered in the framework of the oscillator model of the atom and the Drude dielectric function for a plate. The limiting cases of the nonrelativistic velocity and perfectly conducting material of the plate have been discussed. A complex dependence of the force on the velocity (energy), the distance, and the material properties of the surface has been found.