Quantum Levitation in Metamaterial Plate Configurations

Dentcho Genov Center for Applied Physics Studies, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA Caylin VanHook Center for Applied Physics Studies, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA Venkatesh Pappakrishnan Center for Applied Physics Studies, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, USA

The Casimir force repulsion between a dielectric and magneto-dielectric thick parallel plates separated by air or vacuum is investigated for arbitrary temperatures. The Casimir force between purely dielectric materials is generally attractive that can lead to increased friction and stiction effects in nanoscale devices. Here, we consider a parallel plates design based on artificial electromagnetic metamaterials. A simple analytical treatment of the problem is provided through the introduction of an upper bound of the force. Explicit necessary and sufficient conditions for the manifestation of Casimir force repulsion are derived in terms of the plate`s material parameters and temperature. The sufficient condition can be used as a tool in designing levitating systems with air as the intermediate medium, which is the natural environment for practical microscopic devices.

dgenov@latech.edu