M M Taddei et al 2010 Eur. J. Phys. 31 89 doi:10.1088/0143-0807/31/1/009
M M Taddei1, T N C Mendes2 and C Farina1
Show affiliationsDispersive forces are a kind of van der Waals intermolecular force which could only be fully understood with the establishment of quantum mechanics and, in particular, of quantum electrodynamics. In this pedagogical paper, we introduce the subject in a more elementary approach, aiming at students with basic knowledge of quantum mechanics. We perform original calculations using a semiclassical method by the name of the fluctuating-dipole method, and focus primarily on the interaction of atoms with macroscopic bodies, in particular with a spherical, less usual geometry.
12.20.Ds Specific calculations
03.65.Sq Semiclassical theories and applications
02.40.-k Geometry, differential geometry, and topology
03.65.Ta Foundations of quantum mechanics; measurement theory
Issue 1 (January 2010)
Received 22 July 2009, in final form 8 October 2009
Published 4 November 2009
M M Taddei et al 2010 Eur. J. Phys. 31 89
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