Casimir Effect on a Finite Lattice

Lattice quantum field theory is a well established branch of modern quantum field theory (QFT). However, it has only peripherally been used for the investigation of Casimir systems — i.e. for systems in which quantum fields are distorted by their interaction with classical background objects. This article presents a Hamiltonian lattice formulation of static Casimir systems at a level of generality appropriate for an introductory investigation. Background structure — represented by a lattice potential V(x) — is introduced along one spatial direction with translation invariance in all other spatial directions. It is simple to extend this formulation to include arbitrary background structure in more than one spatial direction. Following some general analysis two specific finite 1D lattice QFT systems are analyzed in detail. The first has three Dirichlet boundaries at the lattice sites x = 0, l and L (L > l > 0) with vanishing lattice potential V(x) everywhere in between. The vacuum energy and vacuum stress tensor T^μν for this system are calculated in 0 < x < L. Very careful attention must be and is given to renormalization in the (continuum) limit of vanishing lattice constant. Globally and locally this lattice system is seen to closely mimic the corresponding 1D continuum system — as one would hope. Then we introduce a lattice potential V(x) = c/(x — x₀)² centered at x = x₀ < 0 to the left of the boundary at x = 0 and extending through this boundary and the middle Dirichlet boundary at x = l out to the right‐hand boundary x = L > l and beyond. The vacuum energy and T^μν are calculated for this far more complicated system in the region 0 〈 x < L, again with very good results. The internal consistency of the lattice version of this system is carefully examined. Our conclusion is that finite‐lattice formulation provides a powerful and effective tool, capable of solving completely many Casimir systems which could not possibly be handled using continuum methods. This is precisely our reason for introducing it. Future investigations (in one and more dimensions and in dynamical as well as static contexts) will display more fully the power of this method.