Casimir Geometry as a Probe of Short Range Forces

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that different Casimir geometries can independently probe short-range forces, deriving new constraints and establishing geometry as a key tool for systematic searches beyond existing methods.

Contribution

It introduces the first constraints from sphere-sphere and plate-plate geometries, expanding the set of Casimir geometries used to search for new short-range interactions.

Findings

Derived the first constraints from sphere-sphere and plate-plate geometries.

Established the most stringent Casimir-based bounds for  10^{-8} m.

Showed that geometry provides a new handle for systematic searches for short-range forces.

Abstract

Casimir force searches provide among the most sensitive laboratory probes of new short range interactions. Existing constraints rely almost exclusively on a single geometry. We show that Casimir geometry constitutes an independent observable, as Yukawa-type interactions and Casimir background exhibit different geometric scaling for bulk forces and surface quantum effects. We derive the first constraints from sphere-sphere and plate-plate geometries, thereby completing the canonical set of Casimir geometries, obtaining the most stringent Casimir-based bounds for $\lambda \lesssim 10^{-8}~\mathrm{m}$. Our results establish geometry as a new handle for systematic searches for short range forces.