Anomalous Scaling Laws of Dispersion Interactions in Anisotropic Nanostructures

TL;DR

This paper uncovers an anomalous $d^{-10}$ scaling law for van der Waals interactions in anisotropic nanostructures, revealing new tunability and crossover behaviors driven by symmetry and plasmon interactions.

Contribution

It introduces the discovery of an anomalous $d^{-10}$ scaling law in anisotropic nanostructures and explores the tunability of vdW forces in 2D materials with strong anisotropy.

Findings

Anomalous $d^{-10}$ vdW scaling law in anisotropic nanostructures

Crossover from $d^{-10}$ to $d^{-6}$ due to plasmon mode competition

Tunability of vdW forces in anisotropic 2D materials

Abstract

The van der Waals (vdW) dispersion interaction between two finite neutral objects typically follows the standard nonretarded $d^{-6}$ law. Here, we reveal an anomalous $d^{-10}$ scaling law between nanostructures with strong geometric or electric anisotropy, driven intrinsically by symmetry-restricted plasmon interactions. At finite anisotropy ratios, a scaling crossover from $d^{-10}$ to $d^{-6}$ occurs due to plasmon mode competition, marked by a finite critical separation. Furthermore, we demonstrate tunability of interlayer vdW forces in two-dimensional materials with strong in-plane electronic anisotropy. By pushing the conventional lower bound of vdW scaling laws, these findings open new opportunities for tailoring nanoscale forces, with potential applications in low-stiction nanomechanical devices, vdW superstructure assembly, metamaterials, and molecular simulations.