Transactions in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

Transactions in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

Tunable Casimir Torque in a Heterogeneous Rotational Microsystem Using Phase-Change Materials

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Physics, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
In this study, the Casimir torque in a rotational microelectromechanical system (MEMS) with heterogeneous surface coatings is investigated using Lifshitz theory in conjunction with the proximity force approximation (PFA). The system consists of two parallel plates: a stationary gold plate with high electrical conductivity and a movable plate capable of rotating about its central axis. The movable plate is divided into two regions with different surface coatings: the right half is coated with silicon carbide (SiC), whereas the left half is coated with a phase-change material (PCM), considered in both its crystalline and amorphous phases. An equilibrium separation of 300 nm between the plates is assumed in the parallel configuration, and small rotational angles are considered. The results show that switching the PCM coating from the amorphous to the crystalline phase increases the net Casimir torque by up to a factor of two. Thermal fluctuations at a temperature of 450 K further enhance the torque; however, in the crystalline phase, the temperature dependence becomes less pronounced owing to the dominant contribution of quantum fluctuations. The equivalent Casimir voltage required to counteract the Casimir torque through an electrostatic torque in the realistic material configuration is found to be substantially lower than that obtained for an ideal perfectly conducting system. These results demonstrate that the proposed heterogeneous rotational system may provide a viable platform for active optomechanical switching and tunable thermal sensing in NEMS applications.
Keywords
Subjects

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 05 November 2026

  • Receive Date 25 September 2026
  • Revise Date 12 October 2026
  • Accept Date 28 October 2026
  • First Publish Date 05 November 2026
  • Publish Date 05 November 2026