Atomic-scale friction experiments reconsidered in the light of rapid contact dynamics

S. Yu. Krylov and J. W. M. Frenken
Phys. Rev. B 80, 235435 – Published 30 December 2009

Abstract

We present the first fully quantitative and self-consistent analysis of atomic-scale friction, explicitly taking into account the flexibility and low effective mass of the mechanical nanocontact. In a procedure, which is free of the traditional assumptions with respect to the corrugation of the interaction potential of the contact, the basic but experimentally inaccessible system parameter, we arrive at an excellent description of recent nanotribology experiments, including the transition from stick slip to nearly frictionless sliding. We show that, contrary to original interpretation, the ultralow friction observed in some experiments has been largely due to thermal (thermolubricity) rather than mechanistic effects (superlubricity). Furthermore, we observe the manifestations of two different forms of thermally induced sliding dynamics, namely, true thermolubricity (slipperiness based on thermal excitations) and a specific, low-dissipation type of stick-slip motion.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 30 July 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.235435

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

S. Yu. Krylov* and J. W. M. Frenken

  • Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9504, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

  • *Permanent address: Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 31, 119991 Moscow, Russia; krylov@physics.leidenuniv.nl

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 80, Iss. 23 — 15 December 2009

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×