Van Der Waals Attraction between Colloidal Particles: The Retardation Correction for Flat Plates of Arbitrary Thickness

Abstract

An analysis is given of the van der Waals attraction between two flat plates of infinite extent but of finite thickness, taking account of the retardation correction. Four cases are recognized and the four distinct equations are shown to be mutually consistent. A table of correction factors is given for various values of the particle thickness and separation.