Nonlinear micromechanical Casimir oscillator

The Casimir force between uncharged metallic surfaces originates from quantum-mechanical zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. We demonstrate that this quantum electrodynamical effect has a profound influence on the oscillatory behavior of microstructures when surfaces are in close p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 87; no. 21; p. 211801
Main Authors Chan, H B, Aksyuk, V A, Kleiman, R N, Bishop, D J, Capasso, F
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 19.11.2001
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Summary:The Casimir force between uncharged metallic surfaces originates from quantum-mechanical zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. We demonstrate that this quantum electrodynamical effect has a profound influence on the oscillatory behavior of microstructures when surfaces are in close proximity (< or =100 nm). Frequency shifts, hysteretic behavior, and bistability caused by the Casimir force are observed in the frequency response of a periodically driven micromachined torsional oscillator.
ISSN:0031-9007
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.87.211801