Casimir interaction at liquid nitrogen temperature: Comparison between experiment and theory

TL;DR

This study measures the Casimir force at liquid nitrogen temperature and compares experimental results with theoretical predictions, finding no significant thermal effect between 77K and 300K within experimental errors.

Contribution

The paper provides experimental data on the Casimir force at 77K and compares it with theoretical models, confirming their agreement and discussing thermal effects and patch potential influences.

Findings

Measured Casimir force at 77K matches theoretical predictions.

No observable thermal effect in Casimir pressure from 77K to 300K.

Discussed the impact of patch potentials on measurements.

Abstract

We have measured the normalized gradient of the Casimir force between Au-coated surfaces of the sphere and the plate and equivalent Casimir pressure between two parallel Au plates at T=77K. These measurements have been performed by means of dynamic force microscope adapted for operating at low temperatures in the frequency shift technique. It was shown that the measurement results at T=77K are in a very good agreement with those at T=300K and with computations at T=77K using both theoretical approaches to the thermal Casimir force proposed in the literature. No thermal effect in the Casimir pressure was observed in the limit of experimental errors with the increase of temperature from T=77K to T=300K. Taking this into account, we have discussed the possible role of patch potentials in the comparison between measured and calculated Casimir pressures.