Pull-in control due to Casimir forces using external magnetic fields

Abstract

We present a theoretical calculation of the pull-in control in capacitive microswitches actuated by Casimir forces using external magnetic fields. The external magnetic fields induce an optical anisotropy due to the excitation of magnetoplasmons that reduces the Casimir force. The calculations are performed in the Voigt configuration and the results show that as the magnetic field increases the system becomes more stable. The detachment length for a cantilever is also calculated for a cantilever, showing that it increases with increasing magnetic field. At the pull-in separation, the stiffness of the system decreases with the increasing magnetic field.