Casimir Energy For Scalar Field Research Articles

Radiative correction to the Casimir energy with mixed boundary condition in 2 + 1 dimensions

In the present study, the zero- and first-order radiative correction to the Casimir energy for the massive and massless scalar field confined with mixed (Neumann-Dirichlet) boundary condition between two parallel lines in 2+1 dimensions for the self-interacting $\phi^4$ theory was computed. The main point in this study is the use of a special program to renormalize the bare parameters of the Lagrangian. The counterterm used in the renormalization program, which was obtained systematically position-dependent, is consistent with the boundary condition imposed on the quantum field. To regularize and remove infinities in the calculation process of the Casimir energy, the Box Subtraction Scheme as a regularization technique was used. In this scheme, two similar configurations are usually introduced, and the vacuum energies of these two configurations in proper limits are subtracted from each other. The final answer for the problem is finite and consistent with the expected physical basis. We also compared the new result of this paper to the previously reported results in the zero- and first-order radiative correction to the Casimir energy of scalar field in two spatial dimensions with Periodic, Dirichlet, and Neumann boundary conditions. Finally, all aspects of this comparison were discussed.

The Casimir energy for scalar field with mixed boundary condition

In this study, the first-order radiative correction to the Casimir energy for massive and massless scalar fields confined with mixed boundary conditions (BCs) (Dirichlet–Neumann) between two points in [Formula: see text] theory was computed. Two issues in performing the calculations in this work are essential: to renormalize the bare parameters of the problem, a systematic method was employed, allowing all influences from the BCs to be imported in all elements of the renormalization program. This idea yields our counterterms appeared in the renormalization program to be position-dependent. Using the Box Subtraction Scheme (BSS) as a regularization technique is the other noteworthy point in the calculation. In this scheme, by subtracting the vacuum energies of two similar configurations from each other, regularizing divergent expressions and their removal process were significantly facilitated. All the obtained answers for the Casimir energy with the mixed BC were consistent with well-known physical grounds. We also compared the Casimir energy for massive scalar field confined with four types of BCs (Dirichlet, Neumann, mixed of them and Periodic) in [Formula: see text] dimensions with each other, and the sign and magnitude of their values were discussed.

A Global Approach with Cutoff Exponential Function, Mathematically Well Defined at the Outset, for Calculating the Casimir Energy: The Example of Scalar Field

A global approach with cutoff exponential functions is used to obtain the Casimir energy of a massless scalar field in the presence of a spherical shell. The proposed method, mathematically well defined at the outset, makes use of two regulators, one of them to make the sum of the orders of Bessel functions finite and the other to regularize the integral involving the zeros of Bessel function. This procedure ensures a consistent mathematical handling in the calculations of the Casimir energy and allows a major comprehension on the regularization process when nontrivial symmetries are under consideration. In particular, we determine the Casimir energy of a scalar field, showing all kinds of divergences. We consider separately the contributions of the inner and outer regions of a spherical shell and show that the results obtained are in agreement with those known in the literature, and this gives a confirmation for the consistence of the proposed approach. The choice of the scalar field was due to its simplicity in terms of physical quantity spin.

Derivative expansion for the boundary interaction terms in the Casimir effect: Generalizedδpotentials

We calculate the Casimir energy for scalar fields in interaction with finite-width mirrors, described by nonlocal interaction terms. These terms, which include quantum effects due to the matter fields inside the mirrors, are approximated by means of a local expansion procedure. As a result of this expansion, an effective theory for the vacuum field emerges, which can be written in terms of generalized $\ensuremath{\delta}$ potentials. We compute explicitly the Casimir energy for these potentials and show that, for some particular cases, it is possible to reinterpret them as imposing imperfect Dirichlet boundary conditions.

Sign and other aspects of semiclassical Casimir energies

The Casimir energy of a massless scalar field is semiclassically given by contributions due to classical periodic rays. The required subtractions in the spectral density are determined explicitly. The semiclassical Casimir energies so defined coincide with those of zeta function regularization in the cases studied. Poles in the analytic continuation of zeta function regularization are related to nonuniversal subtractions in the spectral density. The sign of the Casimir energy of a scalar field on a smooth manifold is estimated by the sign of the contribution due to the shortest periodic rays only. Demanding continuity of the Casimir energy under small deformations of the manifold, the method is extended to integrable systems. The Casimir energy of a massless scalar field on a manifold with boundaries includes contributions due to periodic rays that lie entirely within the boundaries. These contributions in general depend on the boundary conditions. Although the Casimir energy due to a massless scalar field may be sensitive to the physical dimensions of manifolds with boundary. In favorable cases its sign can, contrary to conventional wisdom, be inferred without calculation of the Casimir energy.

TRACE ANOMALY AND CASIMIR EFFECT

The Casimir energy for scalar field of two parallel conductors in two-dimensional domain wall background, with Dirichlet boundary conditions, is calculated by making use of general properties of renormalized stress–tensor. We show that vacuum expectation values of stress–tensor contain two terms which come from the boundary conditions and the gravitational background. In two dimensions the minimal coupling reduces to the conformal coupling and stress–tensor can be obtained by the local and nonlocal contributions of the anomalous trace. This work shows that there exists a subtle and deep connection between Casimir effect and trace anomaly in curved space–time.