Elastic interaction between inclusions and tunable periodicity of superlattice structure in nanowires

The elastic stress distribution and the variation of the elastic energy with spacing between two inclusions of arbitrary sizes in an infinite isotropic cylindrical rod are obtained by an analytical approach and the phase field microelasticity (PFM) simulation. The results show a near-attraction and far-repulsion elastic interaction between two inclusions with hydrostatic dilatation. The critical spacing, at which the interaction changes from attraction to repulsion, is on the order of the radius of the rod, dependent on the length and Poisson's ratio of inclusions. Furthermore, the elastic energy calculations and PFM simulation results indicate that applying the local radial stress on the rod surface can modulate the elastic interaction between inclusions and adjust the periodicity of the superlattice nanowire structure. This can provide some guidelines for the tunable construction of superlattice nanowire structures.