Casimir-Lifshitz force for graphene-covered gratings

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the Casimir-Lifshitz force between a gold plate and a graphene-covered dielectric grating can be significantly enhanced and controlled by the graphene's chemical potential, with implications for experimental measurement.

Contribution

It introduces a scattering matrix approach based on the Fourier Modal Method to analyze the Casimir-Lifshitz force for graphene-covered gratings, revealing strong dependence on graphene's chemical potential.

Findings

Significant enhancement of the Casimir-Lifshitz force compared to dielectric slabs with graphene.

Strong dependence of the force on graphene's chemical potential, especially at lower filling fractions.

Potential for experimental measurement of the Casimir force gradient in such systems.

Abstract

We study the Casimir-Lifshitz force (CLF) between a gold plate and a graphene-covered dielectric grating. Using a scattering matrix (S-matrix) approach derived from the Fourier Modal Method (FMM), we find a significant enhancement in the CLF as compared to a mere dielectric slab coated with graphene, over a wide range of temperatures. Additionally, we demonstrate that the CLF depends strongly on the chemical potential of graphene, with maximal effects observed at lower filling fractions. Finally, we analyse the Casimir force gradient between a gold sphere and a graphene-coated dielectric grating, highlighting potential avenues for experimental measurements.