Fiedler, J.J.FiedlerSpallek, F.F.SpallekThiyam, P.P.ThiyamPersson, C.C.PerssonBoström, M.M.BoströmWalter, M.M.WalterBuhmann, S.Y.S.Y.Buhmann2022-03-062022-03-062019https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/25857210.1103/PhysRevA.99.062512Dispersion forces such as van der Waals forces between two microscopic particles, the CasimirPolder forces between a particle and a macroscopic object or the Casimir force between two dielectric objects are well studied in vacuum. However, in realistic situations the interacting objects are often embedded in an environmental medium. Such a solvent influences the induced dipole interaction. With the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics, these interactions are mediated via an exchange of virtual photons. Via this method the impact of a homogeneous solvent medium can be expressed as local-field corrections leading to excess polarisabilities which have previously been derived for hard boundary conditions. In order to develop a more realistic description, we investigate on a one-dimensional analog system illustrating the influence of a continuous dielectric profile.encasimir effect & related phenomenageometrical & wave opticslight propagation, transmission & absorptionquantum fluctuations & noiseVan der Waals interaction620journal article