Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 211801 (2001) [4 pages]Nonlinear Micromechanical Casimir Oscillator
See accompanying Physics Focus The Casimir force between uncharged metallic surfaces originates from quantum-mechanical zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. We demonstrate that this quantum electrodynamical effect has a profound influence on the oscillatory behavior of microstructures when surfaces are in close proximity (≤100nm). Frequency shifts, hysteretic behavior, and bistability caused by the Casimir force are observed in the frequency response of a periodically driven micromachined torsional oscillator. © 2001 The American Physical Society URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.211801
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.211801
PACS:
12.20.Fv, 05.45.-a, 07.10.Cm
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