Quantum forces in cavities

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new approach using a generalized Matsubara procedure to analyze quantum forces in cavities for scalar and fermionic fields, considering thermal effects and boundary conditions.

Contribution

It presents an alternative method to compute quantum pressures in cavities with various boundary conditions, emphasizing the method's versatility for nontrivial topologies.

Findings

Quantum forces can be attractive or repulsive depending on boundary conditions.

The generalized Matsubara procedure effectively analyzes quantum phenomena in complex topologies.

Thermal effects influence the magnitude and nature of quantum pressures.

Abstract

We present an alternative route to investigate quantum forces in a cavity, for both a free scalar field and a free fermionic field. Considering a generalized Matsubara procedure, we compute the quantum pressure on the boundaries of a compactified space in a thermal bath. Also, considering both periodic and antiperiodic boundary conditions in the cavity, we discuss the attractive or repulsive character of the quantum forces. Our results highlight the relevance and interdisciplinarity of the generalized Matsubara procedure as a theoretical platform to manage quantum phenomena in nontrivial topologies.