Casimir effect across a layered medium

Abstract

Using nonstandard recursion relations for Fresnel coefficients involving successive stacks of layers, we extend the Lifshitz formula to configurations with an inhomogeneous, n-layered, medium separating two planar objects. The force on each object is the sum of a Lifshitz like force and a force arising from the inhomogeneity of the medium. The theory correctly reproduces very recently obtained results for the Casimir force/energy in some simple systems of this kind. As a by product, we obtain a formula for the force on an (unspecified) stack of layers between two planar objects which generalizes our previous result for the force on a slab in a planar cavity.