E.M. Lifshitz' theory of fluctuation molecular forces (Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz., Vol. 29, p. 94, 1955 [Sov. Phys. JETP, Vol. 2, 73, 1956]) and related problems are introduced from a historical perspective. Applications of the theory to soft matter physics are discussed together with some new predictions (for example, stability of smectic or cholesteric liquid crystal films).

Keywords: longrange forces, dispersion interactions, fluctuation forces, liquid crystals PACS: 61.30.Cz, 64.70.M−, 68.35.B− (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.0185.201509g.0964 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2015/9/f/ 000366405400006 2-s2.0-84951825919 2015PhyU...58..892K Citation: Kats E I "Van der Waals, Casimir, and Lifshitz forces in soft matter" Phys. Usp. 58 892–896 (2015) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 29th, March 2015, accepted: 26th, March 2015 Оригинал: Кац Е И «Силы Ван-дер-Ваальса, Казимира и Лифшица в мягкой материи» УФН 185 964–969 (2015); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0185.201509g.0964 E.M. Lifshitz is author of Physics-Uspekhi