No quantum friction between uniformly moving plates
T.G. Philbin, U. Leonhardt
TL;DR
This paper demonstrates that uniform motion of plates does not produce quantum friction, as the electromagnetic vacuum fluctuations do not generate lateral forces, contrary to previous claims.
Contribution
It provides a rigorous calculation showing the absence of quantum friction between uniformly moving plates, challenging prior assumptions in the field.
Findings
No lateral force between moving plates due to vacuum fluctuations
Perpendicular Casimir force is affected by motion
Quantum friction does not occur in uniform motion scenarios
Abstract
The Casimir forces between two plates moving parallel to each other are found by calculating the vacuum electromagnetic stress tensor. The perpendicular force between the plates is modified by the motion but there is no lateral force on the plates. Electromagnetic vacuum fluctuations do not therefore give rise to "quantum friction" in this case, contrary to previous assertions. The result shows that the Casimir-Polder force on a particle moving at constant speed parallel to a plate also has no lateral component.
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