Long-range atom-surface interactions for cold atoms

Studies of the long-range interactions between cold atoms and surfaces are now of vital interest. The interest is partly driven by nanotechnology applications, partly by the exploding interest in the encompassing superfield of Casimir effects, and partly by the burgeoning overlap between atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter, and quantum optics. This tutorial lecture will address long-range atom-surface interactions for cold atoms, including an overview of Casimir-Polder interactions and their various manifestations. Some previous theoretical studies that are of particular relevance will be reviewed. In addition some different approaches to the problem and corresponding results, especially concerning the effects of substrate composition, geometry, and finite temperature, will be discussed.