Casimir-Polder forces in inhomogeneous backgrounds

Abstract

Casimir-Polder interactions are considered in an inhomogeneous, dispersive background. We consider both the interaction between a polarizable atom and a perfectly conducting wall, and between such an atom and a plane interface between two different inhomogeneous dielectric media. Renormalization is achieved by subtracting the interaction with the local inhomogeneous medium by itself. The results are expressed in general form, and generalize the Dzyaloshinskii-Lifshitz-Pitaevskii interaction between a spatially homogeneous dielectric interface and a polarizable atom.