Mixing rules and the Casimir force between composite systems

Abstract

The Casimir-Lifshitz force is calculated between two inhomogeneous composite slabs, each made of a homogeneous matrix with spherical metallic inclusions. The effective dielectric function of the slabs is calculated using several effective medium approximations and we compare the resulting forces as a function of slab separation and filling fraction. We show that the choice of effective medium approximation is critical in making precise comparisons between theory and experiment. The role that the spectral representation of the effective medium plays in making a Wick rotation to the complex frequency axis is also discussed.