Casimir forces in the time domain: Theory

Alejandro W. Rodriguez, Alexander P. Mccauley, John D. Joannopoulos, Steven G. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a method to compute Casimir forces in arbitrary geometries and for arbitrary materials based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) scheme. The method involves the time evolution of electric and magnetic fields in response to a set of current sources, in a modified medium with frequency-independent conductivity. The advantage of this approach is that it allows one to exploit existing FDTD software, without modification, to compute Casimir forces. In this paper, we focus on the derivation, implementation choices, and essential properties of the time-domain algorithm, both considered analytically and illustrated in the simplest parallel-plate geometry.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number012115
JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Volume80
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 6 2009
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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