A note on observability of fluctuation-induced structural interaction in anematic mesophase

We discuss the observability of pseudo-Casimir interaction in nematic liqui d crystals, and show that in physically relevant regimes the interaction is characterized by non-universal force profiles that depend strongly on the anchoring. Depending on the ratio of the anchoring strengths, the force may be either purely attractive at all separations or it may become repulsive at separations comparable to the geometric mean of the extrapolation length s. Within the currently accessible experimental window, it appears that the 1/h(3) force could only be seen in very weakly anchored symmetric systems at separations no larger than a feu 10 nm. We also find that while the conv entional force measuring systems such as the atomic force microscope and su rface force apparatus can provide some information on the fluctuation-induc ed force, alternative techniques, e.g. spinodal dewetting, could be used to obtain a more comprehensive insight extending over a wider range of separa tions.