Ingredients of a Casimir analog computer

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel analog computing method to estimate quantum Casimir forces at microscopic scales by using electromagnetic measurements at larger, accessible scales, based on a derived complex frequency response correspondence.

Contribution

It develops a new technique linking contour integration of Casimir forces with electromagnetic responses of dissipative media for practical force computation.

Findings

Establishes a correspondence between complex frequency contour integration and real electromagnetic response.

Demonstrates a tabletop measurement approach for Casimir force estimation.

Provides a framework for using antenna measurements as an analog computer for quantum forces.

Abstract

We present the basic ingredients of a technique to compute quantum Casimir forces at micrometer scales using antenna measurements at tabletop, e.g. centimeter, scales, forming a type of analog computer for the Casimir force. This technique relies on a correspondence that we derive between the contour integration of the Casimir force in the complex frequency plane and the electromagnetic response of a physical dissipative medium in a finite, real frequency bandwidth.