Related papers: Van der Waals interactions: Evaluations by use of …
Students encounter harmonic-oscillator models in many aspects of basic physics, within widely-varying theoretical contexts. Here we highlight the interconnections and varying points of view. We start with the classical mechanics of masses…
The Casimir-Polder and van der Waals interactions between an atom and a flat cavity wall are investigated under the influence of real conditions including the dynamic polarizability of the atom, actual conductivity of the wall material and…
We have computed the widely neglected first-order interaction between neutral atoms. At interatomic separations typical of condensed media, it is nearly equal to the 1/r^6 second-order London energy inferred from interactions in gasses. Our…
The electrostatic interaction between an excited atom and a diatomic ground state molecule in an arbitrary rovibrational level at large mutual separations is investigated with a general second-order perturbation theory, in the perspective…
We study the thermal Casimir effect between two thick slabs composed of plane-parallel layers of random dielectric materials interacting across an intervening homogeneous dielectric. It is found that the effective interaction at long…
Van der Waals forces between atoms and molecules are universally assumed to act along the line separating them. Inspired by recent works on effects which can propel atoms parallel to a macroscopic surface via the Casimir--Polder force, we…
The modified static exchange model (MSEM) recently introduced by Ray [1] to study two-atomic collision processes at low and cold-energies, is used for detailed analysis of the long-range effects due to induced dipole-dipole van der Waals…
Based on macroscopic QED in linear, causal media, we present a consistent theory for the Casimir-Polder force acting on an atom positioned near dispersing and absorbing magnetodielectric bodies. The perturbative result for the van-der-Waals…
We present an approach for computing long-range van der Waals (vdW) interactions between complex molecular systems and arbitrarily shaped macroscopic bodies, melding atomistic treatments of electronic fluctuations based on density…
The van der Waals interaction between two polarizable atoms is considered. In three dimensions the standard form with an attractive $1/|R|^6$ potential is obtained from second-order quantum perturbation theory. When the electron motion is…
It is shown that statistical mechanics is applicable to isolated quantum systems with finite numbers of particles, such as complex atoms, atomic clusters, or quantum dots in solids, where the residual two-body interaction is sufficiently…
Most often in chemical physics, long range van der Waals surface interactions are approximated by the exact asymptotic result at vanishing distance, the well known additive approximation of London dispersion forces due to Hamaker. However,…
Van der Waals forces as interactions between neutral and polarisable particles act at small distances between two objects. Their theoretical origin lies in the electromagnetic interaction between induced dipole moments caused by the vacuum…
The onset of retardation effects in atom-wall interactions is studied. It is shown that the transition range from the 1/z^3 short-range (van der Waals) interaction to the 1/z^4 long-range (Casimir) retarded interaction critically depends on…
We present a formula for the body-assisted van der Waals interaction potential between two atoms, one or both being prepared in an excited energy eigenstate. The presence of arbitrary arrangement for material environment is taken into…
Based on a microscopic model, we use a functional integral approach to evaluate the quantum interaction energy between two neutral atoms. Each atom is coupled to the electromagnetic (EM) field via a dipole term, generated by an electron…
Within the frame of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics in causal media, the van der Waals interaction between an atomic system and an arbitrary arrangement of dispersing and absorbing dielectric bodies including metals is studied. It is…
A quantum electrodynamic calculation of the interaction of an excited-state atom with a ground-state atom is performed. For an excited reference state and a lower-lying virtual state, the contribution to the interaction energy naturally…
We present time-resolved spectroscopic measurements of Rydberg-Rydberg interactions in an ultracold gas, revealing the pair dynamics induced by long-range van der Waals interactions between the atoms. By detuning the excitation laser, a…
The numerically exact evaluation of the van der Waals interaction, also known as Casimir interaction when including retardation effects, constitutes a challenging task. We present a new approach based on the plane-wave basis and demonstrate…