Atomic-scale control of friction by actuation of nanometer-sized contacts

Socoliuc A, Gnecco E, Maier S, Pfeiffer O, Baratoff A, Bennewitz R, Meyer E (2006)

Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2006

Journal

Science American Association for the Advancement of Science

Publisher: AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE

Book Volume: 313

Pages Range: 207-210

Journal Issue: 5784

URI: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/313/5784/207

DOI: 10.1126/science.1125874

Abstract

Stiction and wear are demanding problems in nanoelectromechanical devices, because of their large surface-to-volume ratios and the inapplicability of traditional liquid lubricants. An efficient way to switch friction on and off at the atomic scale is achieved by exciting the mechanical resonances of the sliding system perpendicular to the contact plane. The resulting variations of the interaction energy reduce friction below 10 piconewtons in a finite range of excitation and load, without any noticeable wear. Without actuation, atomic stick-slip motion, which leads to dissipation, is observed in the same range. Even if the normal oscillations require energy to actuate, our technique represents a valuable way to minimize energy dissipation in nanocontacts.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sabine Maier Professur für Experimentalphysik (Rastersondenmikroskopie)

Involved external institutions

Universität Basel CH Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

Socoliuc, A., Gnecco, E., Maier, S., Pfeiffer, O., Baratoff, A., Bennewitz, R., & Meyer, E. (2006). Atomic-scale control of friction by actuation of nanometer-sized contacts. Science, 313(5784), 207-210. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1125874

MLA:

Socoliuc, Anisoara, et al. "Atomic-scale control of friction by actuation of nanometer-sized contacts." Science 313.5784 (2006): 207-210.

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