Casimir repulsion and metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper investigates the conditions under which Casimir repulsion can occur between different plates, analyzing the effects of magnetic permeability models and the potential of metamaterials, and questions the feasibility of repulsion with metallic-inclusion-based designs.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of Casimir forces with various permeability models and discusses the potential and limitations of metamaterials in achieving repulsion.

Findings

Casimir repulsion depends on magnetic permeability and plate properties.

Short and long distance force limits are derived.

Metamaterials with metallic inclusions may not achieve repulsion.

Abstract

We analyze the conditions for getting the Casimir repulsion between two nonequal plates. The force between plates with magnetic permeability defined by Drude or Lorentz models is calculated. The short and long distance limits of the force are derived. The Casimir set-up with the hypothetical perfect matching metamaterial is discussed. We put into question the possibility of getting repulsion within the design of metamaterials based on metallic inclusions.