Casimir friction force between a SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> probe and a graphene-coated SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> substrate

The possibility of mechanical detection of Casimir friction with the use of a noncontact atomic force microscope is discussed. A SiO₂ probe tip located above a graphene-coated SiO₂ substrate is subjected to the frictional force caused by a fluctuating electromagnetic field produced by a current in graphene. This frictional force will create the bend of a cantilever, which can be measured by a modern noncontact atomic force microscope. Both the quantum and thermal contributions to the Casimir frictional force can be measured using this experimental setup. This result can also be used to mechanically detect Casimir friction in micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems.     

载荷对壁虎刚毛束的摩擦各向异性特性影响的实验研究

用离体壁虎刚毛阵列在自制微黏附摩擦测试台上对预加载荷对刚毛摩擦与黏着的各向异性特性的影响进行了实验研究.实验结果表明,在逆壁虎刚毛自然弯曲方向卷出实现脱附时, 刚毛所受摩擦力与法向力成正比,摩擦系数为0.6;沿顺刚毛自然弯曲方向卷入实现黏附时, 随预载荷增加摩擦力增加,法向力由黏附力变为斥力.在同等预载荷下,卷入方向的摩擦力是卷出方向的2倍以上. 本文提出了摩擦各向异性特征参数,对壁虎刚毛的黏着与摩擦各向异性进行了定量表征, 这种特性是由刚毛的弯曲及多等级结构决定的. 关键词： 壁虎刚毛 黏着 摩擦 各向异性     

Static friction of sinusoidal surfaces: a discrete dislocation plasticity analysis

Discrete dislocation plasticity simulations are carried out to investigate the static frictional response of sinusoidal asperities with (sub)-microscale wavelength. The surfaces are first flattened and then sheared by a perfectly adhesive platen. Both bodies are explicitly modelled, and the external loading is applied on the top surface of the platen. Plastic deformation by dislocation glide is the only dissipation mechanism active. The tangential force obtained at the contact when displacing the platen horizontally first increases with applied displacement, then reaches a constant value. This constant is here taken to be the friction force. In agreement with several experiments and continuum simulation studies, the friction coefficient is found to decrease with the applied normal load. However, at odds with continuum simulations, the friction force is also found to decrease with the normal load. The decrease is caused by an increased availability of dislocations to initiate and sustain plastic flow during shearing. Again in contrast to continuum studies, the friction coefficient is found to vary stochastically across the contact surface, and to reach locally values up to several times the average friction coefficient. Moreover, the friction force and the friction coefficient are found to be size-dependent.     

纳米级随机粗糙表面微观滑动摩擦力的计算研究

表面形貌很大程度上决定了摩擦副的摩擦性能, 而所有的表面都不可能是绝对光滑的.由于摩擦表面形貌的随机性, 决定了实际的摩擦过程具有随机性的特点, 因此为了获得与随机形貌对应的摩擦特性, 建立合理的随机摩擦模型是必要的. 本文基于Lennard-Jones势能建立了纳米级随机粗糙表面和原子级光滑的刚性平面间的随机摩擦模型; 模型中, 界面势能由法向载荷和界面间平衡距离决定.通过数值计算的方法, 推导了微观滑动摩擦力的计算公式和摩擦力与法向载荷之间的关系. 研究结果表明摩擦力随着法向载荷的增加而增加, 但不是线性增长. 结果也说明界面间的表面势能可能是微观摩擦力的本质起源. 关键词： 随机粗糙表面 Lennard-Jones势能 微滑动摩擦力 微摩擦     

基于耦合振子模型的摩擦力计算研究

以界面摩擦为研究对象,探讨了基于耦合振子模型(coupled-oscillator model)的滑动摩擦微观机理,分析了滑动过程中的能量耗散问题. 采用Maugis-Dugdal接触模型替代界面摩擦中的Lennard-Jones势能,并将该模型融入耦合振子模型之中,通过计算振子在一个周期内的能量增加值,推导出了界面摩擦力的理论计算公式. 理论分析表明,对于探针-试样接触系统,滑动摩擦力近似随着法向载荷的2/3次方增加,这与纳米摩擦学经典理论是相符的.理论计算结果与超高真空原子力显微镜镀铜探针在Cu(111)晶面扫描实验结果符合良好,表明本文提出的理论和方法可行. 关键词： 耦合振子模型 界面摩擦 摩擦力 法向载荷     

Effect of C60 molecular rotation on nanotribology

The effect of C60 molecular rotation on the nanotribological properties of C60 single crystal surfaces has been studied by atomic/frictional force microscopy. The orientational order-disorder phase transition, in which the high temperature C60 free rotation is reduced to a low temperature hindered rotation, is shown to give rise to an abrupt change in friction and adhesion. This change in frictional force is quantitatively consistent with the observed change in adhesion. The similar slopes of the friction versus load curves in both phases indicate that the friction coefficient in the two phases remains about the same. Hence the C60 rotation does not provide an additional energy dissipation channel in the friction process.     

Correlation between the size and photoluminescence spectrum of quantum dots in InAs-QD/GaAs

A computational method for determining the real sizes of quantum dots based on the data of atomic force microscopy (AFM) is suggested. It is shown that the experimentally observed measurement error (for the AFM method) of the sizes of the pyramidal quantum dots with a base edge of a ～ 30–46 nm, stemming from convolution, is approximately equal to a quarter of the curvature radius of the AFM probe. Calibration curves of the dependence of the photoluminescence-peak positions of InAs-QD/GaAs heterostructures (in the range 900–1800 nm) on the sizes of the quantum dots measured with the probes whose curvature radii were from from 10 to 100 nm are established.     

Nanoscale deformation of a liquid surface

We study the interaction between a solid particle and a liquid interface. A semianalytical solution of the nonlinear equation that describes the interface deformation points out the existence of a bifurcation behavior for the apex deformation as a function of the distance. We show that the apex curvature obeys a simple power-law dependency on the deformation. Relationships between physical parameters disclose the threshold distance at which the particle can approach the liquid before capillarity provokes a "jump to contact." A prediction of the interface original position before deformation takes place, as well as the attraction force measured by an approaching probe, are produced. The results of our analysis agree with the force curves obtained from atomic force microscopy experiments over a liquid puddle.     

Atomic scale friction between clean graphite surfaces

We investigate atomic scale friction between clean graphite surfaces by using molecular dynamics. The simulation reproduces atomic scale stick-slip motion and a low frictional coefficient, both of which are observed in experiments using frictional force microscope. It is made clear that the microscopic origin of low frictional coefficients of graphite lies on the honeycomb structure of each layer, not only on the weak interlayer interaction as believed so far.     

Interaction potential and hopping dynamics governing sliding friction

The friction force on a nanometer-sized tip sliding on a surface is related to the thermally activated hopping of the contact atoms on an effective atomic interaction potential. A general analytical expression relates the height of this potential and the hopping attempt frequency to measurements of the velocity dependence of the friction force performed with an atomic force microscope. While the height of the potential is roughly proportional to the normal load, the attempt frequency falls in the range of mechanical eigenfrequencies of the probing tip in contact with the surface.     

Effects of a self-assembled monolayer on the sliding friction and adhesion of an Au surface

The friction and adhesion mechanisms with and without a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) in nanotribology were studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The MD model consisted of two gold planes with and without n-hexadecanethiol SAM chemisorbed to the substrate, respectively. The molecular trajectories, tilt angles, normal forces, and frictional forces of the SAM and gold molecules were evaluated during the frictional and relaxation processes for various parameters, including the number of CH₂ molecules, the interference magnitude, and whether or not the SAM lubricant was used. The various parameters are discussed with regard to frictional and adhesion forces, mechanisms, and molecular or atomic structural transitions. The stick–slip behavior of SAM chains can be completely attributed to the van der Waals forces of the chain/chain interaction. When the number of CH₂ molecules was increased, the SAM chains appeared to have bigger tilt angles at deformation. The magnitude of the strain energy that was saved and relaxed is proportional to the elastic deformable extent of the SAM molecules. The frictional force was higher for long chain molecules. With shorter SAM molecules, the adhesion force behavior was more stable during the compression and relaxation processes. A surface coated with a SAM can increase nano-device lifetimes by avoiding interface effects like friction and adhesion. PACS 52.65.Yy; 81.40.Pq; 81.16; 68.35.-p     

Tribological behavior of micro/nano-patterned surfaces in contact with AFM colloidal probe

In effort to investigate the influence of the micro/nano-patterning or surface texturing on the nanotribological properties of patterned surfaces, the patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces with pillars were fabricated by replica molding technique. The surface morphologies of patterned PDMS surfaces with varying pillar sizes and spacing between pillars were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The AFM/FFM was used to acquire the friction force images of micro/nano-patterned surfaces using a colloidal probe. A difference in friction force produced a contrast on the friction force images when the colloidal probe slid over different regions of the patterned polymer surfaces. The average friction force of patterned surface was related to the spacing between the pillars and their size. It decreased with the decreasing of spacing between the pillars and the increasing of pillar size. A reduction in friction force was attributed to the reduced area of contact between patterned surface and colloidal probe. Additionally, the average friction force increased with increasing applied load and sliding velocity.     

Ageing of a microscopic sliding gold contact at low temperatures

Nanometer-scale friction measurements on a Au(111) surface have been performed at temperatures between 30 and 300?K by means of atomic force microscopy. Stable stick slip with atomic periodicity is observed at all temperatures, showing only weak dependence on temperature between 300 and 170?K. Below 170?K, friction increases with time and a distortion of the stick-slip characteristic is observed. Low friction and periodic stick slip can be reestablished by pulling the tip out of contact and subsequently restoring the contact. A comparison with molecular dynamics simulations indicates that plastic deformation within a growing gold junction leads to the observed frictional behavior at low temperatures. The regular stick slip with atomic periodicity observed at room temperature is the result of a dynamic equilibrium shape of the contact, as microscopic wear damage is observed to heal in the sliding contact.     

Nanotribology of Mo–Se–C films

Transition metal dichalcogenides with a layered structure are well known for their self-lubricating properties, particularly in a vacuum or dry atmosphere. The macrotribological properties of these films have been studied extensively. However, the tribological behaviour of these films in the nanonewton load range has hardly been reported. Study of tribological properties with load in the nanonewton range is required for applications related to microelectromechanical systems or nanoelectromechanical systems. In view of the above, the hardness, surface force, friction force, etc. of Mo–Se–C films were investigated at an applied load in the nanonewton range using a nanoindenter and atomic force microscopy. The effect of carbon content, applied load and scanning speed on the friction coefficient was determined. Data pertaining to topography, lateral force and pull-off force of various surfaces are illustrated. The observed nanotribological behaviour of these films is analysed in the light of their nanohardness. The results indicate that the friction force of all the films is very low and in general dependent on surface force. However, a film having the highest carbon content exhibits the maximum friction force. With increasing carbon content of the films tested, the hardness increases and wear decreases. The above results pertain to investigations under ambient conditions.     

纳米接触过程中黏着规律的变化

本文应用大规模分子动力学方法, 模拟了两种具有不同粗糙形貌的、刚性球形探头与弹性平面基体之间的纳米尺度接触, 计算了探头与基体之间的拉离力和黏着功, 研究了接触过程中界面黏着力随载荷的变化规律, 分析了接触界面原子的法向应力分布. 研究发现, 原子级光滑接触的黏着力随着载荷的增大而线性增大, 而原子级粗糙接触的黏着力-载荷曲线分为以不同斜率增长的两个阶段. 相比于原子级光滑探头, 原子级粗糙探头与基体之间具有较小的拉离力和黏着功, 却在接触过程中形成了较大的黏着力. 因此, 拉离力和黏着功不能表征出纳米接触过程中原子吸引作用对界面法向力的贡献大小.     

Measurement of the frictional forces in fretting fatigue

This paper presents the results of a study of the frictional forces associated with the tangential harmonic displacements of a slider in the frequency range from 20 to 1000 Hz.On the basis of our experiments, we establish that the frictional interaction creates a normal periodic force which, in turn, creates normal vibrations leading to a change in the actual load and hence in the peak value of the force of friction.A change in the force of friction with the frequency of the tangential displacements has also been noted elsewhere [1]; however, the causes of this behavior have not previously been ascertained.We show that the force of friction depends significantly not only on the amplitude of the normal vibrations but also on the phase-frequency-relations between the vibrations in the normal and tangential directions.     

热拉伸和化学腐蚀相结合制备弯曲光纤探针

提出了原子力/光子扫描隧道显微镜(AF/PSTM)系统的关键部分——双功能弯曲光纤探针的制作方法.采用热拉伸与动态、静态两步化学腐蚀相结合的方法制作出AF/PSTM弯曲光纤探针，弯曲角度约为150°，尖端曲率半径优于100nm，锥角范围为60°—90°.将这种双功能弯曲光纤探针应用在新研制的AF/PSTM系统上，同时获得了样品的光学与形貌图像，实现了图像分解. 关键词： 原子力/光子扫描隧道显微镜 光纤探针 热拉伸 化学腐蚀     

纳米云纹法实验研究

结合原子力显微镜技术提出了一种新型纳米云纹方法 ,并应用该方法进行纳米范围的变形。实验中选用原子力显微镜显示屏的扫描线做为参考栅 ,云母和高纯定向石墨的晶格结构做为试件。对纳米云纹形成原理及测量方法进行了详尽讨论。运用该方法对强脉冲激光辐照激光照射之后云母试样的剩余变形进行测量研究。成功的实验结果表明这种方法是可行性的 ,可望在纳米力学行为研究中获得广泛应用。     

Quantitative imaging of electrospun fibers by PeakForce Quantitative NanoMechanics atomic force microscopy using etched scanning probes

Electrospun polymeric submicron and nanofibers can be used as tissue engineering scaffolds in regenerative medicine. In physiological conditions fibers are subjected to stresses and strains from the surrounding biological environment. Such stresses can cause permanent deformation or even failure to their structure. Therefore, there is a growing necessity to characterize their mechanical properties, especially at the nanoscale.Atomic force microscopy is a powerful tool for the visualization and probing of selected mechanical properties of materials in biomedical sciences. Image resolution of atomic force microscopy techniques depends on the equipment quality and shape of the scanning probe. The probe radius and aspect ratio has huge impact on the quality of measurement.In the presented work the nanomechanical properties of four different polymer based electrospun fibers were tested using PeakForce Quantitative NanoMechanics atomic force microscopy, with standard and modified scanning probes. Standard, commercially available probes have been modified by etching using focused ion beam (FIB). Results have shown that modified probes can be used for mechanical properties mapping of biomaterial in the nanoscale, and generate nanomechanical information where conventional tips fail.     

Frictional duality observed during nanoparticle sliding

One of the most fundamental questions in tribology concerns the area dependence of friction at the nanoscale. Here, experiments are presented where the frictional resistance of nanoparticles is measured by pushing them with the tip of an atomic force microscope. We find two coexisting frictional states: While some particles show finite friction increasing linearly with the interface areas of up to 310 000 nm(2), other particles assume a state of frictionless sliding. The results further suggest a link between the degree of surface contamination and the occurrence of this duality.