Quantum trapping and rotational self-alignment in triangular Casimir microcavities

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2311.17843
• Publication Date: 2023-01-01
• Authors: Betül Küçüköz; Oleg V. Kotov; Adriana Canales; Alexander Yu. Pol...; Abhay V. Agrawal; Tomasz J. Antosie...; Timur Shegai
• Keywords: Nanophotonics

Casimir torque -- a rotational motion caused by the minimization of zero-point energy is problem that attracts significant theoretical and experimental interest. Recently, it has been realized using liquid crystal phases natural anisotropic substrates. However, for materials, reaches substantial values only at van der Waals distances ~10 nm. Here, we employ self-assembly templated gold nanostructures triangular symmetry purpose self-alignment truly (100 200 nm separation). The joint action repulsive electrostatic attractive potentials leads to formation stable quantum trap, giving rise tunable Fabry-Perot microcavity. This cavity self aligns both laterally rotationally maximize overlap area between floating flakes. remarkably sensitive equilibrium distance two triangles as well their area, which opens possibilities active control through manipulating screening. Our self-assembled self-aligned microcavities could find future use versatile platform nanophotonic, polaritonic, optomechanical applications.