Relativistic theory of fluctuating electromagnetic slowing down of neutral spherical particles moving in close vicinity to a flat surface

For the first time, a general relativistic theory is developed of electromagnetic fluctuation forces (both conservative and dissipative) between a moving neutral spherical particle and a flat surface. The particle is assumed to be polarizable (nonmagnetic), the surface is characterized by frequency-dependent dielectric and magnetic permeability. Closed analytical formulae are obtained for tangential and normal components of the fluctuation force acting on the particle in close vicinity to the surface (at separations of about 1-100 nm). In the limit of small velocity, V, the obtained results are in agreement with the nonrelativistic ones known in literature. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.