arXiv subjects

V. M. Mostepanenko

Publications and source records attributed to V. M. Mostepanenko.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Comment on "Lifshitz-Matsubara sum formula for the Casimir pressure between magnetic metallic mirrors"

Recently Guerout et al. [Phys. Rev. E, v.93, 022108 (2016)] advocated that the lossless plasma model has to be redefined as the limit of the Drude model when the relaxation parameter goes to zero. It was claimed that the previously used plasma model cannot correctly describe the Casimir pressure between two plates made of both nonmagnetic and magnetic metals and has to be replaced with the redefined one. We show that the suggested redefinition does not satisfy necessary physical requirements imposed on the dielectric permittivity. We also present a plausible explanation to the fact that the lossless plasma model describes the Casimir pressure correctly even though it does not match the optical and electrical properties of metals.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Casimir free energy and pressure for magnetic metal films

We examine the Casimir free energy and pressure of magnetic metal films, which are free-standing in vacuum, sandwiched between two dielectric plates, and deposited on either nonmagnetic or magnetic metallic plates. All calculations are performed using both the Drude and plasma model approaches to the Lifshitz theory. According to our results, the Casimir free energies and pressures calculated using both theoretical approaches are significantly different in the magnitude and sign even for thin films of several tens of nanometers thickness. Thus, for the Ni film of 47\,nm thickness deposited on a Fe plate the obtained magnitudes of the Casimir free energy differ by the factor of 5866. We show that the Casimir free energy and pressure of a magnetic film calculated using the plasma model approach do not possess the classical limit, but exponentially fast drop to zero with increasing film thickness. If the Drude model approach is used, the classical limit is reached for magnetic films of about 150\,nm thickness, but the Casimir free energy remains nonzero in the limit of ideal metal, contrary to expectations. For the plasma model approach the Casimir free energy of a film vanishes in this case. Numerical computations are performed for the magnetic films made of Ni, nonmagnetic plates made of Cu and Al, and magnetic plates made of Fe using the tabulated optical data for the complex indexes of refraction of all metals. The obtained results can be used for a discrimination between the plasma and Drude model approaches in the Casimir physics and in the investigation of stability of thin films.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Conductivity of pure graphene: Theoretical approach using the polarization tensor

We obtain analytic expressions for the conductivity of pristine (pure) graphene in the framework of the Dirac model using the polarization tensor in (2+1)-dimensions defined along the real frequency axis. It is found that at both zero and nonzero temperature $T$ the in-plane and out-of-plane conductivities of graphene are equal to each other with a high precision and essentially do not depend on the wave vector. At $T=0$ the conductivity of graphene is real and equal to $σ_0=e^2/(4\hbar)$ up to small nonlocal corrections in accordance with many authors. At some fixed $T\neq 0$ the real part of the conductivity varies between zero at low frequencies $ω$ and $σ_0$ for optical $ω$. If $ω$ is fixed, the conductivity varies between $σ_0$ at low $T$ and zero at high $T$. The imaginary part of the conductivity of graphene is shown to depend on the ratio of $ω$ to $T$. In accordance to the obtained asymptotic expressions, at fixed $T$ it varies from infinity at $ω=0$ to a negative minimum value reached at some $ω$, and then approaches to zero with further increase of $ω$. At fixed $ω$ the imaginary part of the conductivity varies from zero at $T=0$, reaches a negative minimum at some $T$ and then goes to infinity together with $T$. The numerical computations of both the real and imaginary parts of the conductivity are performed. The above results are obtained in the framework of quantum electrodynamics at nonzero temperature and can be generalized for graphene samples with nonzero mass gap parameter and chemical potential.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

A few remarks on the relationship between elementary particle physics, gravitation and cosmology

We discuss some current problems in the relationship between elementary particle physics and gravitation, i.e., in the subject investigated by Prof.~K.~P.~Staniukovich half a century ago. Specifically, the inflationary stage of the Universe evolution, originating from the vacuum polarization and particle creation, corrections to Newton's gravitational law due to exchange of light elementary particles or spontaneous compactification of extra dimensions, and constraints on the parameters of axions as probable constituents of dark matter in our Universe are considered. It is pointed out that presently the relationship between elementary particles and gravitation has become an experimental science, and many experiments, directed towards resolution of all related problems, are performed in many countries.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2016

Reflectivity properties of graphene with nonzero mass-gap parameter

The reflectivity properties of graphene with nonzero mass-gap parameter are investigated in the framework of Dirac model using the polarization tensor in (2+1)-dimensional space-time. For this purpose, a more simple explicit representation for the polarization tensor along the real frequency axis is found. The approximate analytic expressions for the polarization tensor and for the reflectivities of graphene are obtained in different frequency regions at any temperature. We show that the nonzero mass-gap parameter has a profound effect on the reflectivity of graphene. Specifically, at zero temperature the reflectivity of gapped graphene goes to zero with vanishing frequency. At nonzero temperature the same reflectivities are equal to unity at zero frequency. We also find the resonance behavior of the reflectivities of gapped graphene at both zero and nonzero temperature at the border frequency determined by the width of the gap. At nonzero temperature the reflectifities of graphene drop to zero in the vicinity of some frequency smaller than the border frequency. Our analytic results are accompanied with numerical computations performed over a wide frequency region. The developed formalism can be used in devising nanoscale optical detectors, optoelectronic switches and in other optical applications of graphene.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Characteristic properties of the Casimir free energy for metal films deposited on metallic plates

The Casimir free energy and pressure of thin metal films deposited on metallic plates are considered using the Lifshitz theory and the Drude and plasma model approaches to the role of conduction electrons. The bound electrons are taken into account by using the complete optical data of film and plate metals. It is shown that for films of several tens of nanometers thickness the Casimir free energy and pressure calculated using these approaches differ by hundreds and thousands percent and can be easily discriminated experimentally. According to our results, the free energy of a metal film does not vanish in the limiting case of ideal metal if the Drude model approach is used in contradiction with the fact that the fluctuating field cannot penetrate in its interior. Numerical computations of the Casimir free energy and pressure of Ag and Au films deposited on Cu and Al plates have been performed using both theoretical approaches. It is shown that the free energy of a film can be both negative and positive depending on the metals used. For a Au film on a Ag plate and vice versa the Casimir energy of a film changes its sign with increasing film thickness. Applications of the obtained results for resolving the Casimir puzzle and the problem of stability of thin films are discussed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Quantum field theoretical description for the reflectivity of graphene

We derive the polarization tensor of graphene at nonzero temperature in (2+1)-dimensional space-time. The obtained tensor coincides with the previously known one at all Matsubara frequencies, but, in contrast to it, admits analytic continuation to the real frequency axis satisfying all physical requirements. Using the obtained representation for the polarization tensor, we develope quantum field theoretical description for the reflectivity of graphene. The analytic asymptotic expressions for the reflection coefficients and reflectivities at low and high frequencies are derived for both independent polarizations of the electromagnetic field. The dependencies of reflectivities on the frequency and angle of incidence are investigated. Numerical computations using the exact expressions for the polarization tensor are performed and application regions for the analytic asymptotic results are determined.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Progress in constraining axion and non-Newtonian gravity from the Casimir effect

We consider recent progress in constraining the axion-nucleon coupling constants and the Yukawa-type corrections to Newtonian gravity from experiments on measuring the Casimir interaction. After a brief review of previously obtained constraints, we concentrate on the new Casimir-less experiment, which allows to strengthen the known results up to factors of 60 and 1000 for the axion-like particles and Yukawa-type corrections, respectively. We also discuss possibilities allowing to further strengthen the constraints on axion-nucleon coupling constants, and propose a new experiment aiming to achieve this goal.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

The van der Waals and Casimir energy of anisotropic atomically thin metallic films

We discuss the van der Waals (Casimir) free energies and pressures of thin metallic films, consisting from one to fifteen atomic layers, with regard to the anisotropy in their dielectric properties. Both free-standing films and films deposited on a dielectric substrate are considered. The computations are performed for a Au film and a sapphire substrate. According to our results, for free-standing Au films consisting of one and three atomic layers the respective relative error arising from the use of an isotropic (bulk) dielectric permittivity is equal to 73% and 37% for the van der Waals energy, and 70% and 35% for the pressure. We tabulate the energy and pressure van der Waals coefficients of thin Au films computed with account of their anisotropy. It is shown that the bulk permittivity of Au can be used for the films consisting of more than 30 atomic layers, i.e., more than approximately 7 nm thickness. The role of relativistic effects is also investigated and shown to be important even for the films consisting of two or three layers. The obtained results can find applications in the investigation of stability of thin films and development of novel nanoscale devices.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2015

Casimir free energy of metallic films: Discriminating between Drude and plasma model approaches

We investigate the Casimir free energy of a metallic film either sandwiched between two dielectric plates or in vacuum. It is shown that even for a thin film of several tens of nanometer thickness the Casimir free energy and pressure calculated with the Lifshitz theory using the Drude model and the plasma model approaches take significantly different values and can be easily discriminated. According to our results, the classical limit is already achieved for films of about 100\,nm thickness if the Drude model approach is used in calculations. In this case the classical expressions for the Casimir free energy and pressure are common for both configurations considered. If the plasma model approach is used, the classical limit is not achieved for any film thickness. Instead, the Casimir free energy and pressure are decreasing exponentially to zero. When the plasma frequency goes to infinity, the Casimir free energy obtained using the Drude model approach goes to a nonzero limit in contradiction with expectations. If the plasma model approach is used the free energy of metallic film goes to zero in the limit of infinitely large plasma frequency. All analytic results are accompanied by numerical computations performed for a Au film and sapphire plates. The possibilities to observe the predicted effects discriminating between the Drude and plasma model approaches are discussed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Casimir and van der Waals forces: Advances and problems

We review modern achievements and problems in physics of the van der Waals and Casimir forces which arise due to zero-point and thermal fluctuations of the electromagnetic field between closely spaced material surfaces. This subject attracted great experimental and theoretical attention during the last few years because the fluctuation-induced forces find a lot of applications in both fundamental physics and nanotechnology. After a short introduction to the subject, we describe main experimental and theoretical results obtained in the field during the last fifteen years. In the following presentation, we discuss some of the recent results by the authors and their collaborators which are of high promise for future developments. Specifically, we consider new features of the Casimir force acting between a gold sphere and an indium tin oxide plate, present the experimental and theoretical results on measuring the Casimir interaction between two gold surfaces by means of dynamic atomic force microscope, and outline first measurements of the Casimir interaction between magnetic surfaces and related theory. Special attention is devoted to the Casimir effect for graphene, which is the prospective material for microelectromechanical devices of next generations.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Special features of the thermal Casimir effect across a uniaxial anisotropic film

We investigate the thermal Casimir force between two parallel plates made of different isotropic materials which are separated by a uniaxial anisotropic film. Numerical computations of the Casimir pressure at T=300K are performed using the complete Lifshitz formula adapted for an anisotropic intervening layer and in the nonrelativistic limit. It is shown that the standard (nonrelativistic) theory of the van der Waals force is not applicable in this case, because the effects of retardation contribute significantly even for film thicknesses of a few nanometers. We have also obtained simple analytic expressions for the classical Casimir free energy and pressure for large film thicknesses (high temperatures). Unlike the case of isotropic intervening films, for two metallic plates the classical Casimir free energy and pressure are shown to depend on the static dielectric permittivities of an anisotropic film. One further interesting feature is that the classical limit is achieved at much shorter separations between the plates than for a vacuum gap. Possible applications of the obtained results are discussed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Origin of large thermal effect in the Casimir interaction between two graphene sheets

Using the recently derived representation for the polarization tensor in (2+1)-dimensional space-time allowing an analytic continuation to the entire plane of complex frequencies, we obtain simple analytic expressions for the reflection coefficients of graphene at nonzero Matsubara frequencies. In the framework of the Lifshitz theory, these coefficients are shown to lead to nearly exact results for the Casimir free energy and pressure between two graphene sheets. The constituent parts of large thermal effect, arising in the Casimir interaction at short separations due to an explicit parametric dependence of the polarization tensor on the temperature and an implicit dependence through a summation over the Matsubara frequencies, are calculated. It is demonstrated that an explicit thermal effect exceeds an implicit one at shorter separations, both effects are similar in magnitudes at moderate separations, and that an implicit effect becomes a larger one with further increase of separation. Possible applications of the developed formalism, other than the Casimir effect, are discussed.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2015

Improved constraints on the coupling constants of axion-like particles to nucleons from recent Casimir-less experiment

We obtain improved constraints on the coupling constants of axion-like particles to nucleons from a recently performed Casimir-less experiment. For this purpose, the differential force between a Au-coated sphere and either Au or Si sectors of a rotating disc, arising due to two-axion exchange, is calculated. Over a wide region of axion masses from 1.7 meV to 0.9 eV the obtained constraints are stronger up to a factor of 60 than the previously known ones following from the Cavendish-type experiment and measurements of the effective Casimir pressure.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Constraints on axion and corrections to Newtonian gravity from the Casimir effect

Axion is a light pseudoscalar particle of much interest for physics of elementary particles and for astrophysics. We review the recently obtained constraints on axion to nucleon coupling constants following from different experiments on measuring the Casimir interaction. These constraints are compared with those following from other laboratory experiments within the wide range of masses of axion-like particles from 10^{-10} to 20 eV. We also collect the most strong constraints on the Yukawa-type and power-type corrections to the Newton law of gravitation which follow from measurements of the Casimir interaction, Eotvos- and Cavendish-type experiments. The possibility to obtain stronger constraints on an axion from the Casimir effect is proposed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Comparison of hydrodynamic model of graphene with recent experiment on measuring the Casimir interaction

We obtain the reflection coefficients from a graphene sheet deposited on a material substrate under a condition that graphene is described by the hydrodynamic model. Using these coefficients, the gradient of the Casimir force in the configuration of recent experiment is calculated in the framework of the Lifshitz theory. It is shown that the hydrodynamic model is excluded by the measurement data at the 99% confidence level over a wide range of separations. From the fact that the same data are in a very good agreement with theoretical predictions of the Dirac model of graphene, the low-energy character of the Casimir interaction is confirmed.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2014

How to confirm and exclude different models of material properties in the Casimir effect

We formulate a method allowing to confirm or exclude the alternative models of material properties at some definite confidence level in experiments on measuring the Casimir force. The method is based on the consideration of differences between the theoretical and mean measured quantities and the confidence intervals for these differences found at sufficiently high or low confidence probabilities. The developed method is applied to the data of four recent experiments on measuring the gradient of the Casimir force by means of a dynamic atomic force microscope. It is shown that in experiments with Au-Au and Ni-Ni test bodies, where the Drude model approach is excluded at a 95% confidence level, the plasma model approach agrees with the data at higher than 90% confidence. In experiments using an Au sphere interacting with either a Ni plate or a graphene-coated substrate the measurement data agree with the common prediction of the Drude and plasma model approaches and theory using the polarization tensor at 90% and 80% confidence levels, respectively.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Constraints on axion-nucleon coupling constants from measuring the Casimir force between corrugated surfaces

We obtain stronger laboratory constraints on the coupling constants of axion-like particles to nucleons from measurements of the normal and lateral Casimir forces between sinusoidally corrugated surfaces of a sphere and a plate. For this purpose, the normal and lateral additional force arising in the experimental configurations due to two-axion exchange between protons and neutrons are calculated. Our constraints following from measurements of the normal and lateral Casimir forces are stronger than the laboratory constraints reported so far for masses of axion-like particles larger than 11eV and 8eV, respectively. A comparison between various laboratory constraints on the coupling constants of axion-like particles to nucleons obtained from the magnetometer measurements, Eotvos- and Cavendish-type experiments, and from the Casimir effect is performed over the wide range of masses of axion-like particles from 10^{-10}eV to 20eV.

hep-ph↗