Anomalous Scaling Laws of Dispersion Interactions in Anisotropic Nanostructures

2025/06/30 by Pan, Hui, Ren, Yuhua, Wang, Jian-Sheng
#FOS: Physical sciences #Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) #Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)

paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2506.23830

Abstract

The van der Waals (vdW) dispersion interaction between two finite neutral objects typically follows the standard nonretarded d^-6 law. Here, we reveal an anomalous d^-10 scaling law between nanostructures with strong geometric or electric anisotropy, driven intrinsically by symmetry-restricted plasmon interactions. At finite anisotropy ratios, a scaling crossover from d^-10 to d^-6 occurs due to plasmon mode competition, marked by a finite critical separation. Furthermore, we demonstrate tunability of interlayer vdW forces in two-dimensional materials with strong in-plane electronic anisotropy. By pushing the conventional lower bound of vdW scaling laws, these findings open new opportunities for tailoring nanoscale forces, with potential applications in low-stiction nanomechanical devices, vdW superstructure assembly, metamaterials, and molecular simulations.

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