Casimir torque between nanostructured plates

Guérout, R.; Genet, Cyriaque; Lambrecht, Astrid; Reynaud, Serge

doi:10.1209/0295-5075/111/44001

Cited by 36 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 55 publications

(82 reference statements)

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“…We recognize imme-diately that the torque tends to zero for the two extreme angles θ = 0, 90 deg, an expected result from the symmetry of the system. For intermediate angles, the energy and the torque have a smooth behavior, similar to the one observed in [39]. For the Casimir energy, it is natural to compare the limit for θ going to zero (obtained within the theoretical framework adapted to rotated gratings) to the result obtained for perfectly aligned gratings.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 57%

Giant Casimir Torque between Rotated Gratings and theθ=0Anomaly

et al. 2020

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We study the Casimir torque between two metallic one-dimensional gratings rotated by an angle θ with respect to each other. We find that, for infinitely extended gratings, the Casimir energy is anomalously discontinuous at θ = 0, due to a critical zero-order geometric transition between a 2Dand a 1D-periodic system. This transition is a peculiarity of the grating geometry and does not exist for intrinsically anisotropic materials. As a remarkable practical consequence, for finite-size gratings, the torque per area can reach extremely large values, increasing without bounds with the size of the system. We show that for finite gratings with only 10 period repetitions, the maximum torque is already 60 times larger than the one predicted in the case of infinite gratings. These findings pave the way to the design of a contactless quantum vacuum torsional spring, with possible relevance to micro-and nano-mechanical devices.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 57%

Giant Casimir Torque between Rotated Gratings and theθ=0Anomaly

et al. 2020

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“…Developments of novel measurement protocols based on driven 2D trajectories will permit both increasing the measurement speed and improving the sensitivity, while simultaneous observation of several longitudinal modes families [19] will further enrich the imaging capacity of our vectorial force probe. In particular, it could be straightforwardly employed to explore proximity forces at the nanoscale, such as Casimir forces in nano-structured samples where novel phenomenology can be expected [39][40][41]. The method is also compatible with non-conservative force field imaging and will permit further exploration of fluctuation theorems in 2D.…”

Section: Conclusion-mentioning

confidence: 99%

A universal and ultrasensitive vectorial nanomechanical sensor for imaging 2D force fields

et al. 2016

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Miniaturization of force probes into nanomechanical oscillators enables ultrasensitive investigations of forces on dimensions smaller than their characteristic length scale. Meanwhile it also unravels the force field vectorial character and how its topology impacts the measurement. Here we expose an ultrasensitive method to image 2D vectorial force fields by optomechanically following the bidimensional Brownian motion of a singly clamped nanowire. This novel approach relies on angular and spectral tomography of its quasi frequency-degenerated transverse mechanical polarizations: immersing the nanoresonator in a vectorial force field does not only shift its eigenfrequencies but also rotate eigenmodes orientation as a nano-compass. This universal method is employed to map a tunable electrostatic force field whose spatial gradients can even take precedence over the intrinsic nanowire properties. Enabling vectorial force fields imaging with demonstrated sensitivities of attonewton variations over the nanoprobe Brownian trajectory will have strong impact on scientific exploration at the nanoscale.Introduction-Nanosciences were revolutionized by the invention of atomic force microscopy [1] which enabled first perceptions of the nanoworld, by measuring proximity forces exerted by a sample on a micromechanical oscillator. The subsequent emergence of nanomechanical oscillators and evolutions in readout techniques [2][3][4] lead to impressive improvements in force sensitivity [5], enabling detection of collective spin dynamics [6][7][8], single electron spin [9], mass sensing of atoms [10,11] or inertial sensing [12]. Attractive perspectives arise too when nanoresonators are hybridized to single quantum systems, such as molecular magnets [13], spin or solid states qubits [14][15][16][17]. This reduction of the probe size naturally motivates the exploration of force fields on dimensions smaller than their characteristic length scale where a great physical richness is expected, in particular for nanoscale imaging or investigations of fundamental interactions such as proximity forces or near field couplings. In this situation, measurements are performed in presence of strong force field gradients whose vectorial structure becomes crucially relevant and should be fully accounted to describe the measurement process itself [18].

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“…Fundamental aspects of QED can be tested in Casimir force experiments, e.g., by measuring the Casimir torque induced by quantum vacuum fluctuations between two nanostructured plates (Fig. 4), as illustrated in the IYL-PS by Guérout et al [20], or with the experiment proposed by D. S. Ether Jr. et al [21], where optical tweezers are used to probe the Casimir interaction between microspheres inside a liquid medium. exciting area of modern physics enabled by light via laser cooling and the realization of optical traps and lattices for quantum gases.…”

Section: Quantum Electro-dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%