Year: 2002
Type: article
Abstract: The zero-point quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field in vacuum are known to give rise to a long-range attractive force between metal plates (Casimir effect). For ferromagnetic layers separated by vacuum, it is shown that the interplay of the Casimir effect and of the magneto-optical Kerr effect gives rise to a long-range magnetic interaction. The Casimir magnetic force is found to decay as D-1 in the limit of short distances, and as D-5 in the limit of long distances. Explicit expressions for realistic systems are given in the large- and small-distance limits. An experimental test of the Casimir magnetic interaction is proposed.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Author: P. Bruno
Institution: Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2155044951