Electromagnetic fluctuation forces on a particle moving near a surface

Using the Lifshitz electromagnetic theory, general (nonrelativistic) expressions are derived of normal/lateral forces on a single spherical atom, a dipolar molecule and a charged particle moving near a surface. The dependences of the forces involved on the velocity, temperature, distance to the surface and dielectric properties are considered. The resonant effect of dynamical interaction between an atom and the surface plasmons is discussed. For the first time it is shown that the lateral force can be both negative and positive, depending on the spectral features of the atomic polarizability and the plasmon frequency spectrum. The possible role of the fluctuation forces in quartz crystal microbalance experiments, atomic force microscopy (in the tapping mode), and under the passage of atomic beams in open-sided nanotubes is analysed. The theoretical formulae obtained are in agreement with most known literature results concerning the static and dynamic fluctuation and electrostatic forces.