On the comparison of the predictions of lifshitz theory with experiment: Van der Wads forces between mica plates

The behavior of the experimental force-separation curve for two crossed cylinders of mica is compared to theoretical force-separation curves for two flat parallel plates. The theoretical force is computed using a dielectric function for mica, which contains different ir and uv frequencies from that employed previously by Richmond and Ninham. A theoretical method is described for determining the variation in the force-power law with distance of separation.