Tuning the Casimir force via modification of interface properties of three-dimensional topological insulators

Abstract

The axion coupling in topological insulators (TI), which couples electric polarization (magnetization) with the magnetic (electric) field, is known to support a small-distance Casimir repulsion and a large-distance Casimir attraction with a zero-force stable equilibrium between TI plates. By enhancing the reflection properties of the TI interface through mirrors that introduce multiple reflections, we show that it is possible to maintain these trends while tuning the position of the zero-force point and its binding energy: the former by an order of magnitude and latter by over four orders. Moreover, surface charge on the TI allows for intermediate tuning of the zero-force point between coarse settings determined by the axion coupling. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.