Axionic Casimir Torque

Abstract

In the canonical Casimir effect, the quantum vacuum is isotropic, and the minimization of vacuum energy drives only a linear attractive force between the plates. However, the introduction of an axion gradient breaks this rotational symmetry. It can be demonstrated that these asymmetric zero-point fluctuations exert a macroscopic mechanical twist on the plates proportional to $\vec{b}^2 \sin (2\vartheta)$ where $\vec{b}$ is the spatial axion gradient and $\vartheta$ is the angle between the axion gradient and the normal to the plates.