Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · hep-th/0311168

Worldline Approach To The Casimir Effect

L. Moyaerts·K. Langfeld·H. Gies
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

We present a new method to compute quantum energies in presence of a background field. The method is based on the string-inspired worldline approach to quantum field theory and its numerical realization with Monte-Carlo techniques. Our procedure is applied to the study of the Casimir force between rigid bodies induced by a fluctuating real scalar field. We test our method with the classic parallel-plate configuration and study curvature effects quantitatively for the sphere-plate configuration. The numerical estimates are compared with the ``proximity force approximation''. Sizable curvature effects are found for a distance-to-curvature-radius ratio of a/R>0.02.

Explore related subjects

hep-th

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

L. Moyaerts, K. Langfeld, H. Gies. 2003-11-19. Worldline Approach To The Casimir Effect. https://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0311168

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Euler-Heisenberg actions in higher dimensions

Using Schwinger's proper-time formalism, we compute the one-loop effective action in both spinor and scalar quantum electrodynamics in $d=2n>4$ dimensions using algebraic techniques. We derive the closed form expression for the corresponding Euler-Heisenberg Lagrangian, and extract its weak-field approximation in 6, 8 and 10 dimensions in terms of invariants of the electromagnetic field. A subsequent analysis of pair production in $d$ dimensions is given. We also elaborate on conformal actions for the electromagnetic field in $d=2n>4$ dimensions. In the $d=6$ and 8 cases, such actions are generated by DeWitt's coefficients $a_3$ and $a_4$ which, for completeness, are re-computed in this work for spinor QED and scalar QED, respectively.

hep-th↗
arXiv2026

Finite-time memory detectors and fully constraining Faddeev-Kulish dressings in QED and gravity

We show that for both QED and perturbative quantum gravity, time dependent Faddeev-Kulish dressings can be fully constrained either by symmetry, or by demanding that they reproduce the correct outgoing classical memory contribution. For gravity, we show that using this dressing to construct finite-time Fock spaces allows us to recover both the first order gravitational memory, as well as higher order Christodoulou contributions from the gravitational field. We explain how these higher order perturbative corrections arise in inclusive in-in calculations.

hep-th↗
arXiv2026

Effect of $ξRϕ^2$ non-minimal coupling on gravitational light bending

We investigate the bending of massless fields by a massive object in the presence of a curvature-scalar $\sqrt{-g}ξR ϕ^2$ non-minimal coupling up to one loop, using the perturbative quantum gravity computations. It is well known that without such coupling a self interacting scalar field theory cannot be renormalised in the presence of gravity. The massive object is modelled by a massive scalar $ϕ$, and it is assumed to be non-relativistic, e.g., a star. We compute the 2-2 scattering of massless scalar and photons off this object via graviton exchanges. Assuming both $ξ$ and the bending angle to be small, we use the eikonal approximation to compute the angle up to ${\cal O}(ξG^2)$. At tree level $({\cal O}(ξG))$ we find no bending, and hence the ${\cal O}(ξG^2)$ result happens to be leading in this case. The non-minimal vertices are qualitatively different from that of the standard minimal ones, e.g. $ \sqrt{G} h_{μν} T^{μν}$, as the former contains explicit momenta of the gravitons instead of the scalar, complementing the second. The bending angle is found to behave like $\sim b^{-7}$, where $b$ is the impact parameter. We have emphasised the qualitative differences of our results from that of the well studied minimal case.

hep-th↗