Dynamic response of electrons and dispersion force fields near bimetallic interfaces

The induced potential due to an oscillating charge source near the interface of two metals whose electron densities differ slightly, is calculated in the hydrodynamic approximation. Results are given for both planar and spherical interfaces. The potential is used to evaluate the dispersion force field on an atomic system near the interface. It is shown that the force field is divergence-free at very small separation from the planar interface if the electron density profile is diffuse.