The magnon mediated plasmon friction: a functional integral approach

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss quantum friction in a system formed by two metallic surfaces separated by a ferromagnetic intermedium of a certain thickness. The internal degrees of freedom in the two metallic surfaces are assumed to be plasmons, while the excitations in the intermediate material are magnons, modeling plasmons coupled to magnons. During relative sliding, one surface moves uniformly parallel to the other, causing friction in the system. By calculating the effective action of the magnons, we can determine the particle production probability, which shows a positive correlation between the probability and the sliding speed. Finally, we derive the frictional force of the system, with both theoretical and numerical results indicating that the friction, like the particle production probability, also has a positive correlation with the speed.