Quantum friction and fluctuation theorems

F. Intravaia, R. O. Behunin, D. A.R. Dalvit

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

We use general concepts of statistical mechanics to compute the quantum frictional force on an atom moving at constant velocity above a planar surface. We derive the zero-temperature frictional force using a nonequilibrium fluctuation-dissipation relation, and we show that in the large-time, steady-state regime, quantum friction scales as the cubic power of the atom's velocity. We also discuss how approaches based on Wigner-Weisskopf and quantum regression approximations fail to predict the correct steady-state zero-temperature frictional force, mainly due to the low-frequency nature of quantum friction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number050101
JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Volume89
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 5 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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