Reduction of the Casimir Force from Indium Tin Oxide Film by UV Treatment

C.-C. Chang, A. A. Banishev, G. L. Klimchitskaya, V. M. Mostepanenko, and U. Mohideen

Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 090403 – Published 26 August 2011

Abstract

A significant decrease in the magnitude of the Casimir force (from 21% to 35%) was observed after an indium tin oxide sample interacting with an Au sphere was subjected to the UV treatment. Measurements were performed by using an atomic force microscope in high vacuum. The experimental results are compared with theory and a hypothetical explanation for the observed phenomenon is proposed.

Received 8 June 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.090403

Authors & Affiliations

C.-C. Chang¹, A. A. Banishev¹, G. L. Klimchitskaya², V. M. Mostepanenko³, and U. Mohideen¹

¹Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, USA
²North-West Technical University, Millionnaya Street 5, St. Petersburg, 191065, Russia
³Noncommercial Partnership “Scientific Instruments,” Tverskaya Street 11, Moscow, 103905, Russia