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 language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 050101 |
| Journal | Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics |
| Volume | 89 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 5 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics