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arXiv:quant-ph/0303152 · Journal of Optics B Quantum and Semiclassical Optics

The van der Waals energy of atomic systems near absorbing and dispersing bodies

Stefan Yoshi Buhmann, Ho Trung Dung, D.‐G. Welsch

Published Mar 1, 2004• 59 citations
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Abstract

Within the frame of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics in causal media, a rigorous derivation of the van der Waals energy of an atomic system in the presence of an arbitrary arrangement of dispersing and absorbing dielectric bodies is given. As an application, the van der Waals potential of an atom in the presence of a dispersing and absorbing sphere is derived. Closed expressions for the long-distance (retardation) and short-distance (non-retardation) limits are given, and the effect of material absorption is discussed.

DOI
10.1088/1464-4266/6/3/020

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We calculate the energy-level shifts of an atom near a dielectric microsphere. With the quantum electrodynamic linear-response formalism and the exact field susceptibility satisfying the boundary conditions, the energy shifts of a ground-state atom are calculated numerically. From the numerical results, in particular, we are able to identify the short-range instantaneous van der Waals interaction energy and the long-range Casimir-Polder retarded interaction energy between two polarizable objects (atom and cavity).