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arXiv · 1809.05915

Quantum Rolling Friction

F. Intravaia·M. Oelschläger·D. Reiche·D. A. R. Dalvit·K. Busch
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Abstract

An atom moving in a vacuum at constant velocity and parallel to a surface experiences a frictional force induced by the dissipative interaction with the quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. We show that the combination of nonequilibrium dynamics, anomalous Doppler effect and spin-momentum locking of light mediates an intriguing interplay between the atom's translational and rotational motion. In turn, this deeply affects the drag force in a way that is reminiscent of classical rolling friction. Our fully non-Markovian and nonequilibrium description reveals counterintuitive features characterizing the atom's velocity-dependent rotational dynamics. These results prompt interesting directions for tuning the interaction and for investigating nonequilibrium dynamics as well as the properties of confined light.

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F. Intravaia, M. Oelschläger, D. Reiche, D. A. R. Dalvit, K. Busch. 2018-09-16. Quantum Rolling Friction. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.123.120401

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