Competition-Induced Sign Reversal of Casimir-Lifshitz Torque: An Investigation on Topological Node-Line Semimetal

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the Casimir-Lifshitz torque can reverse sign due to the anisotropic quasiparticle dispersion in topological node-line semimetals, influenced by tuning material parameters or substrate properties.

Contribution

It reveals the mechanism of sign reversal of Casimir-Lifshitz torque induced by anisotropic dispersion in topological node-line semimetals and proposes methods to control it.

Findings

Sign reversal of Casimir-Lifshitz torque observed.

Tuning anisotropic parameters affects torque direction.

Material and substrate properties influence torque behavior.

Abstract

The dispersion of quasiparticles in topological node-line semimetals is significantly different in different directions. In a certain direction, the quasiparticles behave like relativistic particles with constant velocity. In other directions, they act as two-dimensional electron gas. The competition between relativistic and nonrelativistic dispersions can induce a sign reversal of Casimir-Lifshitz torque. Three different approaches can be applied to generate this sign reversal, i.e., tuning the anisotropic parameter or chemical potential in node-line semimetal, changing the distance between this material and substrate birefringence. Detailed calculations are illustrated for the system with topological node-line semimetal Ca$_3$P$_2$ and liquid crystal material 4-cyano-4-n-pentylcyclohexane-phenyl.