Prof. Vladimir. M. Mostepanenko: Advances and problems in the Lifshitz theory of dispersion forces
Povzetek:
Advances and problems in the Lifshitz theory of dispersion forces
Prof. Vladimir. M. Mostepanenko, Department of Astrophysics, Central Astronomical Observatory at Pulkovo of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Institute of Physics, Nanotechnology and Telecommunications, St.Petersburg State Polytechnical University, St.Petersburg, Russia
The Lifshitz theory provides a unified description of the van der Waals and Casimir forces which are known under the generic name of dispersion forces .These forces act between closely spaced material surfaces. They are of quantum origin and are caused by the zero-point and thermal fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. The Lifshitz theory is commonly used in both fundamental and applied science. We discuss recent experimental and theoretical results which demonstrate that, in spite of great successes, the Lifshitz theory meets serious difficulties which may have roots in the foundations of quantum statistical physics.
