Probing quantum-vacuum geometrical effects with cold atoms.
The lateral Casimir-Polder force between an atom and a corrugated surface should allow one to study experimentally nontrivial geometrical effects in the electromagnetic quantum vacuum. Here, we derive the theoretical expression of this force in the scattering approach. We show that large corrections to the "proximity force approximation" could be measured using present-day technology with a Bose-Einstein condensate used as a vacuum field sensor.
Dalvit
Diego A R
DA
Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Neto
Paulo A Maia
PA
Lambrecht
Astrid
A
Reynaud
Serge
S