Superlattice-mediated tuning of Casimir forces - art. no. 052108

We present a theoretical calculation on the tuning of Casimir forces using superlattices. The Casimir force is calculated for a system made of two par allel heterogeneous slabs, each one made of alternate layers of materials w ith different dielectric properties. The calculations are based on the quan tization of the electromagnetic field in absorbing media and a transfer mat rix formalism. Our results show that the attractive force can be modified b y structural (dielectric properties) and geometrical (ordering and size) pr operties of the slabs. In particular. the combination of metallic and diele ctric layers allows a modification of the Casimir force by changing the ord ering and relative width of the materials used to construct the superlattic es.