Theory of friction: the contribution from a fluctuating electromagnetic field

Authors
Volokitin, AI Persson, BNJ
Citation
Ai. Volokitin et Bnj. Persson, Theory of friction: the contribution from a fluctuating electromagnetic field, J PHYS-COND, 11(2), 1999, pp. 345-359
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Apllied Physucs/Condensed Matter/Materiales Science
Journal title
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER
ISSN journal
09538984 → ACNP
Volume
11
Issue
2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
345 - 359
Database
ISI
SICI code
0953-8984(19990118)11:2<345:TOFTCF>2.0.ZU;2-T
Abstract
We calculate the friction force between two semi-infinite solids in relativ e parallel motion (with velocity V), and separated by a vacuum gap of width d. The friction force results from coupling via a fluctuating electromagne tic field, and can be considered as the dissipative part of the van der Waa ls interaction. We consider the dependence of the friction force on the tem perature T, and present a detailed discussion of the limiting cases of smal l and large V and d.