Pull-in control due to Casimir forces using external magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates how external magnetic fields can control pull-in instability in capacitive micro switches by reducing Casimir forces through magneto-optical effects, enhancing system stability.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of using magnetic fields to modulate Casimir forces and improve stability in microelectromechanical systems.

Findings

Magnetic fields induce optical anisotropy via magneto plasmons.

Increasing magnetic fields stabilize the system and increase detachment length.

System stiffness decreases at pull-in separation with stronger magnetic fields.

Abstract

We present a theoretical calculation of the pull-in control in capacitive micro switches actuated by Casimir forces, using external magnetic fields. The external magnetic fields induces an optical anisotropy due to the excitation of magneto plasmons, that reduces the Casimir force. The calculations are performed in the Voigt configuration, and the results show that as the magnetic field increases the system becomes more stable. The detachment length for a cantilever is also calculated for a cantilever, showing that it increases with increasing magnetic field. At the pull-in separation, the stiffness of the system decreases with increasing magnetic field.