2007/10/26 by Thorsten Emig, T. Emig, R. L. Jaffe +1 · 2 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Algebraic and Geometric Analysis #Quantum Electrodynamics and Casimir Effect #Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/1751-8113/41/16/164001
published as J.Phys.A41:164001,2008 · 24 pages, 3 figures, contribution to QFEXT07 proceedings
arxiv created 2007/10/26 · openalex publication_date 2008/04/09 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We develop an exact method for computing the Casimir energy between arbitrary compact objects, both with boundary conditions for a scalar field and dielectrics or perfect conductors for the electromagnetic field. The energy is obtained as an interaction between multipoles, generated by quantum source or current fluctuations. The objects' shape and composition enter only through their scattering matrices. The result is exact when all multipoles are included, and converges rapidly. A low frequency expansion yields the energy as a series in the ratio of the objects' size to their separation. As examples, we obtain this series for two spheres with Robin boundary conditions for a scalar field and dielectric spheres for the electromagnetic field. The full interaction at all separations is obtained for spheres with Robin boundary conditions and for perfectly conducting spheres.