[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
3/2/2006 Physics Colloquium: Mehran Kadar
Physics Colloquium Series at MIT
3/2/2006
Mehran Kadar, MIT
The Shape Dependence of Fluctuation-Induced Forces
The Casimir force is an attraction between parallel conducting plates due
to quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic (EM) field. Thermal
fluctuations of correlated fluids (such as critical mixtures or
superfluids) are also modified by boundaries, resulting in similar
interactions. A nice demonstration is provided by the thinning of a
wetting film of helium at and below the superfluid transition.
Quantitative understanding of the latter requires inclusion of surface
undulations. The EM Casimir force is also modified for corrugated
surfaces in non-trivial fashion. I shall also discuss other non-trivial
geometries, in particular addressing the possibility of a repulsive force
for a piston, and the force between a plate and a cylinder.
Time: 4:15pm
Place: Room 10-250
Refreshments will be served in the Physics Undergraduate Lounge (8-329)
at 3:45pm
For a complete list of upcoming colloquia, please visit the Physics
website:
http://web.mit.edu/physics/newsandevents/physics_colloquia_sched_spring_06.html
_____________________________
Rosrin Srethapramote
Events & Special Projects
Department of
Physics
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, NE25-4100
Cambridge, MA
02139-4307
Phone: (617)253-6259
Fax
(617)253-8554
http://web.mit.edu/physics/