Real-space multiple-scattering approach to the van der Waals interaction

Abstract

The van der Waals (vdW) interaction between non-overlapping systems arises from long-range correlations in electronic systems due to the attraction between their coupled density fluctuations. Here we present a treatment based on a generalized real-space multiple-scattering approach which is applicable to both spherical and non-spherical geometries. The method is tested for the vdW interactions between two isolated atoms.