Dispersion forces in macroscopic quantum electrodynamics

Abstract

The description of dispersion forces within the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics in linear, dispersing, and absorbing media combines the benefits of approaches based on normal-mode techniques of standard quantum electrodynamics and methods based on linear response theory in a natural way. It renders generally valid expressions for both the forces between bodies and the forces on atoms in the presence of bodies, while showing very clearly the intimate relation between the different types of dispersion forces. By considering examples, the influence of various factors like form, size, electric and magnetic properties, or intervening media on the forces is addressed. Since the approach based on macroscopic quantum electrodynamics does not only apply to equilibrium systems, it can be used to investigate dynamical effects such as the temporal evolution of forces on arbitrarily excited atoms.