Dispersion Interaction of Atoms with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes described by the Dirac Model

Abstract

We calculate the interaction energy and force between atoms and molecules and single-walled carbon nanotubes described by the Dirac model of graphene. For this purpose the Lifshitz-type formulas adapted for the case of cylindrical geometry with the help of the proximity force approximation are used. The results obtained are compared with those derived from the hydrodymanic model of graphene. Numerical computations are performed for hydrogen atoms and molecules. It is shown that the Dirac model leads to larger values of the van der Waals force than the hydrodynamic model. For a hydrogen molecule the interaction energy and force computed using both models are larger than for a hydrogen atom.