Force on a neutral atom near conducting microstructures

Abstract

We derive the nonretarded energy shift of a neutral atom for two different geometries. For an atom close to a cylindrical wire we find an integral representation for the energy shift, give asymptotic expressions, and interpolate numerically. For an atom close to a semi-infinite half plane we determine the exact Green's function of the Laplace equation and use it to derive the exact energy shift for an arbitrary position of the atom. These results can be used to estimate the energy shift of an atom close to etched microstructures that protrude from substrates. © 2007 The American Physical Society.