CASIMIR INTERACTION BETWEEN A MICROSCOPIC DIPOLE OSCILLATOR AND A MACROSCOPIC SOLENOID

We discuss the interaction between a microscopic electric dipole oscil lator and a long solenoid which are separated by a small distance. The solenoid belongs to a simple RLC circuit and the zero point and therm al current fluctuations within the solenoid coils are taken into accou nt. We describe how they affect the equilibrium slate and the excited states of the oscillator, thus providing a description of the Casimir interaction of the system. We calculate the modification in the lifeti me of the oscillator excited states as a function of the parameters of the circuit, the dipole orientation, and the distance between the dip ole and the solenoid. The Casimir force between the solenoid and the e lectric dipole is calculated, and it is shown that this Casimir intera ction always exists, that is, it occurs even when the macroscopic curr ent in the solenoid is zero. We suggest experiments which can exhibit these effects related to the electromagnetic interactions between atom s or molecules and simple circuits.