Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-16-1998
Abstract
We compute the expectations of the squares of the electric and magnetic fields in the vacuum region outside a half-space filled with a uniform non-dispersive dielectric. This gives predictions for the Casimir-Polder force on an atom in the "retarded" regime near a dielectric. We also find a positive energy density due to the electromagnetic field. This would lead, in the case of two parallel dielectric half-spaces, to a positive, separation-independent contribution to the energy density, besides the negative, separation-dependent Casimir energy. Rough estimates suggest that for a very wide range of cases, perhaps including all realizable ones, the total energy density between the half-spaces is positive.
Recommended Citation
Andrew Lang and Adam D Helfer. "The electromagnetic field near a dielectric half-space" arXiv:hep-th/9810131 (1998) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/andrew-sid-lang/2/
Comments
Article in arXiv:hep-th/9810131