Van der Waals Forces Between Heavy Alkali Atoms and Gold Surfaces: Comparison of Measured and Predicted Values.

摘要

The Van der Waals potentials between heavy alkali-metal atoms (Cs, Rb, K) and gold surfaces have been investigated by the atomic-beam-deflection technique. The values are smaller than the predictions based on all available theories. At best there is agreement within 60% for estimates based on the macroscopic continuum theory of Lifshitz. Other models disagree with measurements by factors of three (200% difference) or more.