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Deutsche Physikalische Gessellschaft IOP Institute of Physics

Quantum levitation by left-handed metamaterials

Ulf Leonhardt and Thomas G Philbin

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Left-handed metamaterials make perfect lenses that image classical electromagnetic fields with significantly higher resolution than the diffraction limit. Here, we consider the quantum physics of such devices. We show that the Casimir force of two conducting plates may turn from attraction to repulsion if a perfect lens is sandwiched between them. For optical left-handed metamaterials, this repulsive force of the quantum vacuum may levitate ultra-thin mirrors.


PACS

42.70.-a Optical materials

41.20.-q Applied classical electromagnetism

Subjects

Accelerators, beams and electromagnetism

Optics, quantum optics and lasers

Dates

Issue 8 (August 2007)

Received 18 January 2007

Published 10 August 2007



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