Superlattice-mediated tuning of Casimir forces

Abstract

We present a theoretical calculation on the tuning of Casimir forces using superlattices. The Casimir force is calculated for a system made of two parallel heterogeneous slabs, each one made of alternate layers of materials with different dielectric properties. The calculations are based on the quantization of the electromagnetic field in absorbing media and a transfer matrix formalism. Our results show that the attractive force can be modified by structural (dielectric properties) and geometrical (ordering and size) properties of the slabs. In particular, the combination of metallic and dielectric layers allows a modification of the Casimir force by changing the ordering and relative width of the materials used to construct the superlattices.