Theory of dispersion interactions between macroscopic bodies

Abstract

A general theory of the interaction between macroscopic bodies is developed taking into account effects due to the finite size of molecules. The theory is applied to the interaction between dielectric slabs. At large distances of separation Lifshitz theory is recovered, while at small distances the divergence in both Lifshitz and Hamaker theories is removed. The concept of dispersion self-energy developed in an earlier paper is carried further and the force field of a molecule near a surface derived. The relation between interaction and surface energies of macroscopic bodies is made explicit and it is shown that interaction energies are simply the change in surface energy of the bodies.