PhysRevA.98.022515.pdf (609.09 kB)
Distinguishing models of surface response through the self-energy of an electron
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 14:43 authored by Robert Bennett, Stefan Yoshi Buhmann, Claudia EberleinThe self-energy of an electron confined between parallel surfaces with arbitrary dielectric properties is calculated. The mechanism for this effect is the surface-induced modification of the fluctuating quantized vacuum field to which the electron is coupled, thereby endowing it with a surface-dependent self-energy in broad analogy to the Casimir-Polder effect for an atom. We derive a general formula for this self-energy shift and find that its sign is different for two commonly used models of surface response, namely, the plasma model and the Drude model. We propose an experiment which could detect this difference in sign, shedding light on continuing uncertainty about the correct description of the interaction of low-frequency vacuum photons with media.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Physical Review AISSN
2469-9926Publisher
American Physical SocietyExternal DOI
Issue
2Volume
98Page range
022515Department affiliated with
- Physics and Astronomy Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Research Group Publications
- Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-08-23First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-08-23First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-08-22Usage metrics
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