Abstract
We outline our Lorentz-force approach to the description of dispersion forces (see also C. Raabe and D.-G. Welsch, Phys. Rev. A 71:013814, 2005; Phys. Rev. A 73:063822, 2006). It is based on the ground-state Lorentz force density that acts on the charge and current densities attributed to the polarization and magnetization in linearly, locally, and causally responding media. Application of the theory to dielectric systems yields very general formulas for the Casimir force on dielectric bodies or parts of them. It is shown that well-known expressions for the Casimir–Polder force on a single atom and for the van der Waals force between atoms are also contained in our formula. The theory may thus be viewed as providing a unified basis for the calculation of dispersion forces from a macroscopic point of view.
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Raabe, C., Welsch, DG. Unified approach to dispersion forces within macroscopic QED. Hyperfine Interact 172, 149–156 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10751-007-9533-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10751-007-9533-4