arXiv subjects

Prachi Parashar

Publications and source records attributed to Prachi Parashar.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Casimir-Polder energy for axially symmetric systems

We develop a formalism suitable for studying Maxwell's equations in the presence of a medium that is axially symmetric, in particular with respect to Casimir-Polder interaction energies. As an application, we derive the Casimir-Polder interaction energy between an electric $δ$-function plate and an anisotropically polarizable molecule for arbitrary orientations of the principal axes of polarizabilities of the molecule. We show that in the perfect conductor limit for the plate the interaction is insensitive to the orientation of the polarizabilities of the molecule. We obtain the Casimir-Polder energy between an electric $δ$-function sphere and an anisotropically polarizable molecule, again for arbitrary orientations of the principal axes of polarizabilities of the molecule. We derive results when the polarizable molecule is either outside the sphere, or inside the sphere. We present the perfectly conducting limit for the $δ$-function sphere, and also the interaction energy for the special case when the molecule is at the center of the sphere. Our general proposition is that the Casimir-Polder energy between a dielectric body with axial symmetry and an unidirectionally polarizable molecule placed on the axis with its polarizability parallel to the axis gets non-zero contribution only from the $m=0$ azimuth mode. This feature in conjunction with the property that the $m=0$ mode separates into transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes allows the evaluation of Casimir-Polder energies for axially symmetric systems in a relatively easy manner.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2017

Electromagnetic $δ$-function sphere

We develop a formalism to extend our previous work on the electromagnetic $δ$-function plates to a spherical surface. The electric ($λ_e$) and magnetic ($λ_g$) couplings to the surface are through $δ$-function potentials defining the dielectric permittivity and the diamagnetic permeability, with two anisotropic coupling tensors. The formalism incorporates dispersion. The electromagnetic Green's dyadic breaks up into transverse electric and transverse magnetic parts. We derive the Casimir interaction energy between two concentric $δ$-function spheres in this formalism and show that it has the correct asymptotic flat plate limit. We systematically derive expressions for the Casimir self-energy and the total stress on a spherical shell using a $δ$-function potential, properly regulated by temporal and spatial point-splitting, which are different from the conventional temporal point-splitting. In strong coupling, we recover the usual result for the perfectly conducting spherical shell but in addition, there is an integrated curvature-squared divergent contribution. For finite coupling, there are additional divergent contributions; in particular, there is a familiar logarithmic divergence occurring in the third order of the uniform asymptotic expansion that renders it impossible to extract a unique finite energy except in the case of an isorefractive sphere, which translates into $λ_g=-λ_e$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Casimir Self-Entropy of a Spherical Electromagnetic $δ$-Function Shell

In this paper we continue our program of computing Casimir self-entropies of idealized electrical bodies. Here we consider an electromagnetic $δ$-function sphere ("semitransparent sphere") whose electric susceptibility has a transverse polarization with arbitrary strength. Dispersion is incorporated by a plasma-like model. In the strong coupling limit, a perfectly conducting spherical shell is realized. We compute the entropy for both low and high temperatures. The TE self-entropy is negative as expected, but the TM self-entropy requires ultraviolet and infrared subtractions, and, surprisingly, is only positive for sufficiently strong coupling. Results are robust under different regularization schemes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Lifshitz interaction can promote ice growth at water-silica interfaces

At air-water interfaces, the Lifshitz interaction by itself does not promote ice growth. On the contrary, we find that the Lifshitz force promotes the growth of an ice film, up to 1-8 nm thickness, near silica-water interfaces at the triple point of water. This is achieved in a system where the combined effect of the retardation and the zero frequency mode influences the short-range interactions at low temperatures, contrary to common understanding. Cancellation between the positive and negative contributions in the Lifshitz spectral function is reversed in silica with high porosity. Our results provide a model for how water freezes on glass and other surfaces.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2016

Casimir energies of self-similar plate configurations

We construct various self-similar configurations using parallel $δ$-function plates and show that it is possible to evaluate the Casimir interaction energy of these configurations using the idea of self-similarity alone. We restrict our analysis to interactions mediated by a scalar field, but the extension to electromagnetic field is immediate. Our work unveils an easy and powerful method that can be easily employed to calculate the Casimir energies of a class of self-similar configurations. As a highlight, in an example, we determine the Casimir interaction energy of a stack of parallel plates constructed by positioning $δ$-function plates at the points constituting the Cantor set, a prototype of a fractal. This, to our knowledge, is the first time that the Casimir energy of a fractal configuration has been reported. Remarkably, the Casimir energy of some of the configurations we consider turn out to be positive, and a few even have zero Casimir energy. For the case of positive Casimir energy that is monotonically decreasing as the stacking parameter increases the interpretation is that the pressure of vacuum tends to inflate the infinite stack of plates. We further support our results, derived using the idea of self-similarity alone, by rederiving them using the Green's function formalism. These expositions gives us insight into the connections between the regularization methods used in quantum field theories and regularized sums of divergent series in number theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Casimir Self-Entropy of an Electromagnetic Thin Sheet

Casimir entropies due to quantum fluctuations in the interaction between electrical bodies can often be negative, either caused by dissipation or by geometry. Although generally such entropies vanish at zero temperature, consistent with the third law of thermodynamics (the Nernst heat theorem), there is a region in the space of temperature and separation between the bodies where negative entropy occurs, while positive interaction entropies arise for large distances or temperatures. Systematic studies on this phenomenon in the Casimir-Polder interaction between a polarizable nanoparticle or atom and a conducting plate in the dipole approximation have been given recently. Since the total entropy should be positive according to the second law of thermodynamics, we expect that the self-entropy of the bodies would be sufficiently positive as to overwhelm the negative interaction entropy. This expectation, however, has not been explicitly verified. Here we compute the self-entropy of an electromagnetic $δ$-function plate, which corresponds to a perfectly conducting sheet in the strong coupling limit. The transverse electric contribution to the self-entropy is negative, while the transverse magnetic contribution is larger and positive, so the total self-entropy is positive. However, this self-entropy vanishes in the strong-coupling limit. In that case, it is the self-entropy of the nanoparticle that is just sufficient to result in a nonnegative total entropy.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Negative Entropies in Casimir and Casimir-Polder Interactions

It has been increasingly becoming clear that Casimir and Casimir-Polder entropies may be negative in certain regions of temperature and separation. In fact, the occurrence of negative entropy seems to be a nearly ubiquitous phenomenon. This is most highlighted in the quantum vacuum interaction of a nanoparticle with a conducting plate or between two nanoparticles. It has been argued that this phenomenon does not violate physical intuition, since the total entropy, including the self-entropies of the plate and the nanoparticle, should be positive. New calculations, in fact, seem to bear this out at least in certain cases.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Stress tensor for a scalar field in a spatially varying background potential: Divergences, "renormalization," anomalies, and Casimir forces

Motivated by a desire to understand quantum fluctuation energy densities and stress within a spatially varying dielectric medium, we examine the vacuum expectation value for the stress tensor of a scalar field with arbitrary conformal parameter, in the background of a given potential that depends on only one spatial coordinate. We regulate the expressions by incorporating a temporal-spatial cutoff in the (imaginary) time and transverse-spatial directions. The divergences are captured by the zeroth- and second-order WKB approximations. Then the stress tensor is "renormalized" by omitting the terms that depend on the cutoff. The ambiguities that inevitably arise in this procedure are both duly noted and restricted by imposing certain physical conditions; one result is that the renormalized stress tensor exhibits the expected trace anomaly. The renormalized stress tensor exhibits no pressure anomaly, in that the principle of virtual work is satisfied for motions in a transverse direction. We then consider a potential that defines a wall, a one-dimensional potential that vanishes for $z<0$ and rises like $z^α$, $α>0$, for $z>0$. The full finite stress tensor is computed numerically for the two cases where explicit solutions to the differential equation are available, $α=1$ and 2. The energy density exhibits an inverse linear divergence as the boundary is approached from the inside for a linear potential, and a logarithmic divergence for a quadratic potential. Finally, the interaction between two such walls is computed, and it is shown that the attractive Casimir pressure between the two walls also satisfies the principle of virtual work (i.e., the pressure equals the negative derivative of the energy with respect to the distance between the walls).

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Anisotropic contribution to the van der Waals and the Casimir-Polder energies for CO$_2$ and CH$_4$ molecules near surfaces and thin films

In order to understand why carbon dioxide (CO$_2$) and methane (CH$_4$) molecules interact differently with surfaces, we investigate the Casimir-Polder energy of a linearly polarizable CO$_2$ molecule and an isotropically polarizable CH$_4$ molecule in front of an atomically thin gold film and an amorphous silica slab. We quantitatively analyze how the anisotropy in the polarizability of the molecule influences the van der Waals contribution to the binding energy of the molecule.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Casimir-Polder repulsion: Three-body effects

In this paper we study an archetypical scenario in which repulsive Casimir-Polder forces between an atom or molecule and two macroscopic bodies can be achieved. This is an extension of previous studies of the interaction between a polarizable atom and a wedge, in which repulsion occurs if the atom is sufficiently anisotropic and close enough to the symmetry plane of the wedge. A similar repulsion occurs if such an atom passes a thin cylinder or a wire. An obvious extension is to compute the interaction between such an atom and two facing wedges, which includes as a special case the interaction of an atom with a conducting screen possessing a slit, or between two parallel wires. To this end we further extend the electromagnetic multiple-scattering formalism for three-body interactions. To test this machinery we reinvestigate the interaction of a polarizable atom between two parallel conducting plates. In that case, three-body effects are shown to be small, and are dominated by three- and four-scattering terms. The atom-wedge calculation is illustrated by an analogous scalar situation, described in the Appendix. The wedge-wedge-atom geometry is difficult to analyze because this is a scale-free problem. But it is not so hard to investigate the three-body corrections to the interaction between an anisotropic atom or nanoparticle and a pair of parallel conducting cylinders, and show that the three-body effects are very small and do not affect the Casimir-Polder repulsion at large distances between the cylinders. Finally, we consider whether such highly anisotropic atoms needed for repulsion are practically realizable. Since this appears rather difficult to accomplish, it may be more feasible to observe such effects with highly anisotropic nano particles.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

How does Casimir energy fall? IV. Gravitational interaction of regularized quantum vacuum energy

Several years ago we demonstrated that the Casimir energy for perfectly reflecting and imperfectly reflecting parallel plates gravitated normally, that is, obeyed the equivalence principle. At that time the divergences in the theory were treated only formally, without proper regularization, and the coupling to gravity was limited to the canonical energy-momentum-stress tensor. Here we strengthen the result by removing both of those limitations. We consider, as a toy model, massless scalar fields interacting with semitransparent ($δ$-function) potentials defining parallel plates, which become Dirichlet plates for strong coupling. We insert space and time point-split regulation parameters, and obtain well-defined contributions to the self- energy of each plate, and the interaction energy between the plates. (This self-energy does not vanish even in the conformally-coupled, strong-coupled limit.) We also compute the local energy density, which requires regularization near the plates. In general, the energy density includes a surface energy that resides precisely on the boundaries. This energy is also regulated. The gravitational interaction of this well-defined system is then investigated, and it is verified that the equivalence principle is satisfied.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Casimir torque in weak coupling

In this paper, dedicated to Johan Høye on the occasion of his 70th birthday, we examine manifestations of Casimir torque in the weak-coupling approximation, which allows exact calculations so that comparison with the universally applicable, but generally uncontrolled, proximity force approximation may be made. In particular, we examine Casimir energies between planar objects characterized by $δ$-function potentials, and consider the torque that arises when angles between the objects are changed. The results agree very well with the proximity force approximation when the separation distance between the objects is small compared with their sizes. In the opposite limit, where the size of one object is comparable to the separation distance, the shape dependence starts becoming irrelevant. These calculations are illustrative of what to expect for the torques between, for example, conducting planar objects, which eventually should be amenable to both improved theoretical calculation and experimental verification.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Investigations of the torque anomaly in an annular sector. II. Global calculations, electromagnetic case

Recently, it was suggested that there was some sort of breakdown of quantum field theory in the presence of boundaries, manifesting itself as a torque anomaly. In particular, Fulling et al. used the finite energy-momentum-stress tensor in the presence of a perfectly conducting wedge, calculated many years ago by Deutsch and Candelas, to compute the torque on one of the wedge boundaries, where the latter was cutoff by integrating the torque density down to minimum lower radius greater than zero. They observed that that torque is not equal to the negative derivative of the energy obtained by integrating the energy density down to the same minimum radius. This motivated a calculation of the torque and energy in an annular sector obtained by the intersection of the wedge with two coaxial cylinders. In a previous paper we showed that for the analogous scalar case, which also exhibited a torque anomaly in the absence of the cylindrical boundaries, the point-split regulated torque and energy indeed exhibit an anomaly, unless the point-splitting is along the axis direction. In any case, because of curvature divergences, no unambiguous finite part can be extracted. However, that ambiguity is linear in the wedge angle; if the condition is imposed that the linear term be removed, the resulting torque and energy is finite, and exhibits no anomaly. In this paper, we demonstrate the same phenomenon takes place for the electromagnetic field, so there is no torque anomaly present here either. This is a nontrivial generalization, since the anomaly found by Fulling et al. is linear for the Dirichlet scalar case, but nonlinear for the conducting electromagnetic case.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Investigations of the torque anomaly in an annular sector. I. Global calculations, scalar case

In an attempt to understand a recently discovered torque anomaly in quantum field theory with boundaries, we calculate the Casimir energy and torque of a scalar field subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions on an annular sector defined by two coaxial cylinders intercut by two planes through the axis. In this model the particularly troublesome divergence at the cylinder axis does not appear, but new divergences associated with the curved boundaries are introduced. All the divergences associated with the volume, the surface area, the corners, and the curvature are regulated by point separation either in the direction of the axis of the cylinder or in the (Euclidean) time; the full divergence structure is isolated, and the remaining finite energy and torque are extracted. Formally, only the regulator based on axis splitting yields the expected balance between energy and torque. Because of the logarithmic curvature divergences, there is an ambiguity in the linear dependence of the energy on the wedge angle; if the terms constant and linear in this angle are removed by a process of renormalization, the expected torque-energy balance is preserved.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Casimir interaction energies for magneto-electric δ-function plates

We present boundary conditions for the electromagnetic fields on a δ-function plate, having both electric and magnetic properties, sandwiched between two magneto-electric semi-infinite half spaces. The optical properties for an isolated δ-function plate are shown to be independent of the longitudinal material properties of the plate. The Casimir-Polder energy between an isotropically polarizable atom and a magneto-electric δ-function plate is attractive for a purely electric δ-function plate, repulsive for a purely magnetic δ-function plate, and vanishes for the simultaneous perfect conductor limit of both electric and magnetic properties of the δ-function plate. The interaction energy between two identical δ-function plates is always attractive. It can be attractive or repulsive when the plates have electric and magnetic properties interchanged and reproduces Boyer's result for the interaction energy between perfectly conducting electric and magnetic plates. The change in the Casimir-Polder energy in the presence of a δ-function plate on a magneto-electric substrate is substantial when the substrate is a weak dielectric.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Three-body Casimir-Polder interactions

As part of our program to develop the description of three-body effects in quantum vacuum phenomena, we study the three-body interaction of two anisotropically polarizable atoms with a perfect electrically conducting plate, a generalization of earlier work. Three- and four-scattering effects are important, and lead to nonmonotonic behavior.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Electromagnetic semitransparent $δ$-function plate: Casimir interaction energy between parallel infinitesimally thin plates

We derive boundary conditions for electromagnetic fields on a $δ$-function plate. The optical properties of such a plate are shown to necessarily be anisotropic in that they only depend on the transverse properties of the plate. We unambiguously obtain the boundary conditions for a perfectly conducting $δ$-function plate in the limit of infinite dielectric response. We show that a material does not "optically vanish" in the thin-plate limit. The thin-plate limit of a plasma slab of thickness $d$ with plasma frequency $ω_p^2=ζ_p/d$ reduces to a $δ$-function plate for frequencies ($ω=iζ$) satisfying $ζd \ll \sqrt{ζ_p d} \ll 1$. We show that the Casimir interaction energy between two parallel perfectly conducting $δ$-function plates is the same as that for parallel perfectly conducting slabs. Similarly, we show that the interaction energy between an atom and a perfect electrically conducting $δ$-function plate is the usual Casimir-Polder energy, which is verified by considering the thin-plate limit of dielectric slabs. The "thick" and "thin" boundary conditions considered by Bordag are found to be identical in the sense that they lead to the same electromagnetic fields.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

PT-Symmetric Quantum Electrodynamics and Unitarity

More than 15 years ago, a new approach to quantum mechanics was suggested, in which Hermiticity of the Hamiltonian was to be replaced by invariance under a discrete symmetry, the product of parity and time-reversal symmetry, $\mathcal{PT}$. It was shown that if $\mathcal{PT}$ is unbroken, energies were, in fact, positive, and unitarity was satisifed. Since quantum mechanics is quantum field theory in 1 dimension, time, it was natural to extend this idea to higher-dimensional field theory, and in fact an apparently viable version of $\mathcal{PT}$-invariant quantum electrodynamics was proposed. However, it has proved difficult to establish that the unitarity of the scattering matrix, for example, the Källén spectral representation for the photon propagator, can be maintained in this theory. This has led to questions of whether, in fact, even quantum mechanical systems are consistent with probability conservation when Green's functions are examined, since the latter have to possess physical requirements of analyticity. The status of $\mathcal{PT}$QED will be reviewed in this report, as well as the general issue of unitarity.

hep-th↗