Repulsive and restoring Casimir forces with left-handed materials

TL;DR

This paper explores how left-handed materials can be used to control and induce repulsive Casimir forces, with implications for system stability and oscillation in vacuum.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the sign of the Casimir force depends on electromagnetic properties and wave impedances, introducing the concept of a restoring Casimir force for stabilization.

Findings

Repulsive Casimir forces can be achieved with left-handed materials.

The Casimir force sign depends on electric and magnetic properties.

Restoring Casimir forces can stabilize systems and induce oscillations.

Abstract

We investigate repulsive Casimir force between slabs containing left-handed materials with controllable electromagnetic properties. The sign of Casimir force is determined by the electric and magnetic properties of the materials, and it is shown that the formation of the repulsive force is related to the wave impedances of two slabs. The sign change of the Casimir force as a function of the distance is studied. Special emphasis is put on the restoring Casimir force which may be found to exist between perfectly conducting material and metamaterial slabs. This restoring force is a natural power for the system oscillation in vacuum and also can be used for system stabilization.