2004/10/31 by I. Brevik, Iver Brevik, J. B. Aarseth +4 · 9 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Quantum Electrodynamics and Casimir Effect #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #hep-th #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physreve.71.056101
published as Phys.Rev.E71:056101,2005 · 14 pages, 3 eps figures, revtex4. New version includes clarifications and new reference. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E
arxiv created 2005/03/21 · openalex publication_date 2005/05/03 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The temperature dependence of the Casimir force between a real metallic plate and a metallic sphere is analyzed on the basis of optical data concerning the dispersion relation of metals such as gold and copper. Realistic permittivities imply, together with basic thermodynamic considerations, that the transverse electric zero mode does not contribute. This results in observable differences from the conventional prediction, which does not take this physical requirement into account. The results are shown to be consistent with the third law of thermodynamics, as well as being not inconsistent with current experiments. However, the predicted temperature dependence should be detectable in future experiments. The inadequacies of approaches based on ad hoc assumptions, such as the plasma dispersion relation and the use of surface impedance without transverse momentum dependence, are discussed.