Abstract
We demonstrate here a controllable variation in the Casimir force. Changes in the force of up to at separations of nm between Au and Ag-In-Sb-Te (AIST) surfaces were achieved on crystallization of an amorphous sample of AIST. This material is well known for its structural transformation, which produces a significant change in the optical properties and is exploited in optical data storage systems. The finding paves the way to the control of forces in nanosystems, such as micro- or nanoswitches, by stimulating the phase-change transition via localized heat sources.
- Received 8 April 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.82.010101
©2010 American Physical Society