Lifshitz theory for a wedge

Abstract: We develop the Lifshitz theory of van der Waals forces in a wedge of a dielectric material. The non-planar geometry of the problem requires determining point-wise distribution of stresses. The findings are relevant to a wide range of phenomena from crack propagation to contact line motion. First, the stresses prove to be anisotropic as opposed to the classical fluid mechanics treatment of the contact line problem. Second, the wedge configuration is always unstable with its angle tending either to collapse or unfold. The presented theory unequivocally demonstrates quantum nature of the forces dictating the wedge behavior, which cannot be accounted for with the classical methods.