title: Momentum transfer from quantum vacuum to magnetoelectric matter.
abstract: A recent publication [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 020404 (2004)] raises the possibility of momentum transfer from zero-point quantum fluctuations to matter, controlled by applied electric and magnetic fields. We present a Lorentz-invariant description using field-theoretical regularization techniques. We find no momentum transfer for homogeneous media, but predict a very small transfer for a Casimir-type geometry.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Physique et Modélisation des Milieux Condensés, Maison des Magistères, CNRS/UJF BP 166, 38042 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: van Tiggelen
authors.forename: G L J A
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Rikken
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Krstić