A general theory for the van der Waals interactions in colloidal systems based on fluctuational electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive theoretical framework based on fluctuational electrodynamics for calculating van der Waals interactions in colloidal systems, accounting for complex many-body and near-field effects.

Contribution

It provides a rigorous, ab initio method to compute vdW interactions in colloids using Green's tensors for various configurations, including finite, periodic, and defected structures.

Findings

Enables accurate vdW calculations considering retardation and many-body effects.

Provides explicit Green's tensor expressions for different colloidal arrangements.

Facilitates analysis of vdW interactions in complex colloidal geometries.

Abstract

A rigourous theory for the determination of the van der Waals interactions in colloidal systems is presented. The method is based on fluctuational electrodynamics and a multiple-scattering method which provides the electromagnetic Green's tensor. In particular, expressions for the Green's tensor are presented for arbitrary, finite, collections of colloidal particles, for infinitely periodic or defected crystals as well as for finite slabs of crystals. The presented formalism allows for {\it ab initio} calculations of the vdW interactions is colloidal systems since it takes fully into account retardation, many-body, multipolar and near-fields effects.