ATOMIC-SCALE FRICTION MODULATION BY ACTUATING SUBSTRATE SUB-NANOMETER VIBRATION

作者：Liu Yilun; Shen Luming^*; Zheng Quanshui

来源：International Journal for Multiscale Computational Engineering, 2013, 11(1): 27-35.

• atomic-scale sliding friction
• friction reduction
• substrate parallel vibration
• Tomlinson model

In this work we study the effect of the substrate vibration on atomic-scale sliding friction using the Tomlinson model. By actuating substrate sub-nanometer vibration parallel to the sliding direction, we find the stick slip motion can be largely suppressed, resulting in very low sliding friction. The vibration of the substrate will actuate the relative vibration between the sliding tip and the substrate, which will help the tip overcome the substrate surface potential barrier. This mechanism is different from the previous vibration method by actuating vibration perpendicular to the contact surfaces. Our simulation results show that the frequency and amplitude of the substrate vibration are two critical parameters for the friction reduction: Through modulating the vibration frequency, the tip motion can change from stick slip to continuous sliding, which leads to nearly zero sliding friction. The range of the zero-friction frequencies is determined by the fundamental vibration frequencies of the sliding system. In order to achieve a high friction reduction effect the amplitude of the substrate vibration should be larger than one fourth of the period of the surface potential. This work will benefit the design of nearly friction-free interfaces.

• 出版日期2013
• 单位清华大学