Mode-by-mode summation for the zero point electromagnetic energy of an infinite cylinder - art. no. 105009

Using the mode-by-mode summation technique the zero point energy of the ele ctromagnetic field is calculated for the boundary conditions given on the s urface of an infinite solid cylinder. It is assumed that the dielectric and magnetic characteristics of the material which makes up the cylinder (epsi lon(1),mu(1)) and of that which makes up the surroundings (epsilon(2),mu(2) ) obey the relation epsilon(1)mu(1) = epsilon(2)mu(2).With this assumption all the divergences cancel. The divergences are regulated by making use of zeta function techniques. Numerical calculations are carried out for a dilu te dielectric-diamagnetic cylinder and for a perfectly conducting cylindric al shell. The Casimir energy in the first case vanishes, and in the second is in a complete agreement with that obtained by DeRaad and Milton who empl oyed a Green's function technique with an ultraviolet regulator. [S0556-282 1(99)03010-6].