Dynamical Casimir-Polder atom-surface interaction

TL;DR

This paper calculates the dynamical Casimir-Polder force between a moving atom and a surface, considering relativistic velocities and material properties, revealing how these factors influence the interaction.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model for the dynamical Casimir-Polder force accounting for relativistic velocities and realistic material properties.

Findings

Force depends on atom velocity, distance, and material properties.

Relativistic effects significantly alter the interaction force.

Material properties influence the force magnitude and behavior.

Abstract

We have calculated dynamical Casimir-Polder interaction force between a moving ground state atom and a flat polarizable surface. The velocity of an atom can be close to the velocity of light. The material properties are taken into account using a single oscillator model of the atomic dynamic polarizability and the Drude dielectric function of a metal substrate. The limit cases of nonrelativistic velocities and an ideal metal substrate are also considered. We have found specific dependence of the calculated forces on the velocity (energy), distance and material properties.