title: Casimir edge effects.
abstract: We compute Casimir forces in open geometries with edges, involving parallel as well as perpendicular semi-infinite plates. We focus on Casimir configurations which are governed by a unique dimensional scaling law with a universal coefficient. With the aid of worldline numerics, we determine this coefficient for various geometries for the case of scalar-field fluctuations with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Our results facilitate an estimate of the systematic error induced by the edges of finite plates, for instance, in a standard parallel-plate experiment. The Casimir edge effects for this case can be reformulated as an increase of the effective area of the configuration.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Theoretische Physik, Philosophenweg 16, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gies
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klingmüller