Quantum levitation by left-handed metamaterials

Ulf Leonhardt; Thomas G. Philbin

doi:10.1088/1367-2630/9/8/254

Quantum levitation by left-handed metamaterials

Ulf Leonhardt, Thomas G. Philbin

School of Physics and Astronomy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Left-handed metamaterials make perfect lenses that image classical electromagnetic fields with significantly higher resolution than the diffraction limit. Here, we consider the quantum physics of such devices. We show that the Casimir force of two conducting plates may turn from attraction to repulsion if a perfect lens is sandwiched between them. For optical left-handed metamaterials, this repulsive force of the quantum vacuum may levitate ultra-thin mirrors.

Original language	English
Article number	254
Number of pages	11
Journal	New Journal of Physics
Volume	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/9/8/254
Publication status	Published - 10 Aug 2007

Keywords

NEGATIVE REFRACTIVE-INDEX
CASIMIR FORCE
OPTICAL METAMATERIALS
VANDERWAALS FORCES
PHYSICS
FREQUENCIES
MEDIA

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10.1088/1367-2630/9/8/254

Cite this

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AB - Left-handed metamaterials make perfect lenses that image classical electromagnetic fields with significantly higher resolution than the diffraction limit. Here, we consider the quantum physics of such devices. We show that the Casimir force of two conducting plates may turn from attraction to repulsion if a perfect lens is sandwiched between them. For optical left-handed metamaterials, this repulsive force of the quantum vacuum may levitate ultra-thin mirrors.

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KW - FREQUENCIES

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Quantum levitation by left-handed metamaterials

Abstract

Keywords

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EP/C523229/1: Multidisciplinary Critical Mass in Computational Algebra and Applications

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Quantum levitation by left-handed metamaterials

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

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Projects

EP/C523229/1: Multidisciplinary Critical Mass in Computational Algebra and Applications

Cite this