The alternation of fluctuations due to the presence of confining objects or geometries can induce interactions with rather unusual properties. Examples can be found in many contexts including quantum electrodynamic interactions between atoms and macroscopic bodies, quantum vacuum energies (Casimir forces), superfluids and interactions in biological systems. A central goal is to determine and to understand the dependence of these phenomena on the shape (geometry) and material properties of the interacting objects. Applications range from the introduction of Casimir forces in nano- and micromachinery and mesoscopic atomic systems to thermally induced interactions in biological cells.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017