Sign of the Casimir-Polder interaction between atoms and oil-water interfaces: Subtle dependence on dielectric properties

Mathias Boström*, Simen Å Ellingsen, Iver Brevik, Drew F. Parsons, Bo E. Sernelius

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We demonstrate that Casimir-Polder energies between noble gas atoms (dissolved in water) and oil-water interfaces are highly surface specific. Both repulsion (e.g., hexane) and attraction (e.g., glycerine and cyclodecane) is found with different oils. For several intermediate oils (e.g., hexadecane, decane, and cyclohexane) both attraction and repulsion can be found in the same system. Near these oil-water interfaces the interaction is repulsive in the nonretarded limit and turns attractive at larger distances as retardation becomes important. These highly surface specific interactions may have a role to play in biological systems where the surface may be more or less accessible to dissolved atoms.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number064501
    JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
    Volume85
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 14 Jun 2012

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Sign of the Casimir-Polder interaction between atoms and oil-water interfaces: Subtle dependence on dielectric properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this