Calculating quantum vacuum forces in nanostructures
Friday, February 8, 2013 - 08:31
in Physics & Chemistry
(Phys.org)—One of the surprising predictions of quantum mechanics is that uncharged conductors can attract each other over small distances, even in empty space. While the resulting "Casimir force" has been accurately measured and calculated for simple flat conductors, researchers from the Department of Energy, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology have solved the much more complicated problem of calculating this force between metal plates with complicated periodic nanoscale structures on their surfaces.