Quantum non-contact friction in resonant dielectric media

We compute the non-contact friction force induced between two isotropic planar dielectric slabs which obey a plasma model dielectric function using scalar electromagnetism. All computations are carried out at zero temperature. Strong constraints on the integration parameters which define the friction force are derived and subsequently used for a variety of numerical computations. In the limit of large dielectric separations, a saddle point approximation is used to show that the dielectric function is approximately constant in this limit. In the limit of small dielectric separations, a distinct set of integer power laws unique to the plasma model are found. These are then shown to correspond to an elastic limit for the friction force. Finally, these power laws yield a natural maximization condition for the friction which provides an interesting contrast to the behaviors observed in friction computations involving dielectric slabs with constant dielectric functions.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Flynn, Michael O

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mehran Kardar.

• Physics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/100339

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/100339