Session D15: Monolayers, Membranes and Microemulsions

2:30 PM–4:54 PM, Monday, March 16, 2009
- 316

Sponsoring Unit: DFD
Chair: Erik Luijten, Northwestern University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2009.MAR.D15.6

Abstract: D15.00006 : Casimir force between inclusions in a strechable fluid membrane

3:30 PM–3:42 PM

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Authors:

  Hsiang-Ku Lin
    (Department of Physics, University of California at Riverside)

  Roya Zandi
    (Department of Physics, University of California at Riverside)

  Leonid Pryadko
    (Department of Physics, University of California at Riverside)

We calculate the entropic fluctuational force, a finite- temperature analogue of the Casimir force, between foreign inclusions in a strechable fluid membrane. Specifically, we consider the fluctuations of a planar membrane governed by the full Helfrich Hamiltonian, including the surface tension and both bending rigidity terms. The inclusions are introduced as circular regions where the surface tension and/or bending rigidities are modified from their values on the non-perturbed membrane. Results for arbitrarily-strong perturbations of the membrane, including holes, rigid disks, and edges will be presented.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2009.MAR.D15.6