| Abstract: | We discuss the observability of pseudo-Casimir interaction in nematic liquid crystals, and show that in physically relevant regimes the interaction is characterized by non-universal force profiles that depend strongly on the anchoring. Depending on the ratio of the anchoring strengths, the force may be either purely attractive at all separations or it may become repulsive at separations comparable to the geometric mean of the extrapolation lengths. Within the currently accessible experimental window, it appears that the 1/h 3 force could only be seen in very weakly anchored symmetric systems at separations no larger than a few 10 nm. We also find that while the conventional force measuring systems such as the atomic force microscope and surface force apparatus can provide some information on the fluctuationinduced force, alternative techniques, e.g. spinodal dewetting, could be used to obtain a more comprehensive insight extending over a wider range of separations. |
