https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2016-70273-5
Regular Article
An asymmetric dimer in a periodic potential: a minimal model for friction of graphene flakes*
Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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e-mail: a.fasolino@science.ru.nl
Received: 4 May 2016
Published online: 11 July 2016
We discuss the friction and motion of a model of a dimer with asymmetric interactions with a substrate potential. Starting from the consideration that a rigid dimer with spacing equal to half of the period of the potential has exactly zero static friction like the infinite incommensurate Frenkel Kontorova model, we show how stick-slip behaviour and friction arise as a function of asymmetry. We argue that this model can yield a simple yet insightful description of the frictional behaviour of graphene flakes on graphite and of superlubricity. The results can also be of interest for diatomic molecules on surfaces.
Key words: Solid State and Materials
Supplementary material in the form of three mp4 files available from the Journal web page at http://dx.doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2016-70273-5
© The Author(s) 2016. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
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