Stick-slip nanofriction in trapped cold ion chains

D. Mandelli, A. Vanossi, and E. Tosatti
Phys. Rev. B 87, 195418 – Published 10 May 2013

Abstract

Stick slip—the sequence of mechanical instabilities through which a slider advances on a solid substrate—is pervasive throughout sliding friction, from nanoscales to geological scales. Here we suggest that trapped cold ions in an optical lattice can also be of help in understanding stick-slip friction, and also the way friction changes when one of the sliders undergoes structural transitions. For that scope, we simulated the dynamical properties of a 101-ion chain, driven to slide back and forth by a slowly oscillating electric field in an incommensurate periodic “corrugation” potential of increasing magnitude U0. We found the chain sliding to switch, as U0 increases and before the Aubry transition, from a smooth-sliding regime with low dissipation to a stick-slip regime with high dissipation. In the stick-slip regime the onset of overall sliding is preceded by precursor events consisting of partial slips of a few ions only, leading to partial depinning of the chain, a nutshell remnant of precursor events at the onset of motion also observed in macroscopic sliders. Seeking to identify the possible effects on friction of a structural transition, we reduced the trapping potential aspect ratio until the ion chain shape turned from linear to zigzag. Dynamic friction was found to rise at the transition, reflecting the opening of other dissipation channels.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
6 More
  • Received 24 March 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.87.195418

©2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

D. Mandelli1, A. Vanossi1,2, and E. Tosatti1,2,3

  • 1International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
  • 2CNR-IOM Democritos National Simulation Center, Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
  • 3International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Strada Costiera 11, 34014 Trieste, Italy

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 19 — 15 May 2013

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
×