Constraints on non-Newtonian gravity from measuring the Casimir force in a configuration with nanoscale rectangular corrugations

TL;DR

This study uses precise measurements of the Casimir force with nanoscale corrugations to set new constraints on non-Newtonian gravity, specifically Yukawa-type corrections, over a range of 30 to 1260 nm.

Contribution

It derives an exact expression for the Yukawa force gradient in a corrugated configuration and compares it with the proximity force approximation to improve constraints on non-Newtonian gravity.

Findings

Constraints are comparable to previous experiments.

Constraints extend over 30 to 1260 nm interaction range.

Potential for stronger constraints by changing the plate material.

Abstract

We report constraints on the parameters of Yukawa-type corrections to Newtonian gravity from measurements of the gradient of the Casimir force in the configuration of an Au-coated sphere above a Si plate covered with corrugations of trapezoidal shape. For this purpose, the exact expression for the gradient of Yukawa force in the experimental configuration is derived and compared with that obtained using the proximity force approximation. The reported constraints are of almost the same strength as those found previously from several different experiments on the Casimir force and extend over a wide interaction range from 30 to 1260\,nm. It is discussed how to make them stronger by replacing the material of the plate.