Casimir Effect in MEMS: Materials, Geometries, and Metrologies—A Review
Basma Elsaka,
Xiaohui Yang,
Philipp Kästner,
Kristina Dingel,
Bernhard Sick,
Peter Lehmann,
Stefan Yoshi Buhmann,
Hartmut Hillmer
Affiliations
Basma Elsaka
Institute of Nanostructure Technologies and Analytics (INA), Technological Electronics Department, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
Xiaohui Yang
Institute of Nanostructure Technologies and Analytics (INA), Technological Electronics Department, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
Philipp Kästner
Institute of Nanostructure Technologies and Analytics (INA), Technological Electronics Department, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
Kristina Dingel
Institute for Systems Analytics and Control (ISAC), Intelligent Embedded Systems Department, University of Kassel, Wilhelmshöher Allee 71-73, 34121 Kassel, Germany
Bernhard Sick
Institute for Systems Analytics and Control (ISAC), Intelligent Embedded Systems Department, University of Kassel, Wilhelmshöher Allee 71-73, 34121 Kassel, Germany
Peter Lehmann
Measurement Technology Group, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Kassel, Wilhelmshöher Allee 71, 34121 Kassel, Germany
Stefan Yoshi Buhmann
Institut für Physik, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
Hartmut Hillmer
Institute of Nanostructure Technologies and Analytics (INA), Technological Electronics Department, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
Casimir force densities, i.e., force per area, become very large if two solid material surfaces come closer together to each other than 10 nm. In most cases, the forces are attractive. In some cases, they can be repulsive depending on the solid materials and the fluid medium in between. This review provides an overview of experimental and theoretical studies that have been performed and focuses on four main aspects: (i) the combinations of different materials, (ii) the considered geometries, (iii) the applied experimental measurement methodologies and (iv) a novel self-assembly methodology based on Casimir forces. Briefly reviewed is also the influence of additional parameters such as temperature, conductivity, and surface roughness. The Casimir effect opens many application possibilities in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), where an overview is also provided. The knowledge generation in this fascinating field requires interdisciplinary approaches to generate synergetic effects between technological fabrication metrology, theoretical simulations, the establishment of adequate models, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Finally, multiple applications are addressed as a research roadmap.