Compact interaction potential for van der Waals nanorods

We studied the van der Waals interactions of two finite, solid, cylindrical rods at arbitrary angle and position with respect to each other. An analytic interpolative formula for the interaction potential energy is constructed, based on various asymptotic cases. The potential can be readily used for numerical and analytic description of multi-wall carbon nanotubes, metallic nanorods, rod-shaped colloids, or any other similar objects with significant van der Waals interactions.