Abstract

Covalent Bonding and Atomic-Level Plasticity

Author(s): Joe Miller

Using a transmission electron microscope and single-crystal silicon atomic force microscope probes in contact with diamond surfaces in vacuum, nano indentation and sliding experiments were carried out in situ. The works of adhesion after sliding that were measured experimentally were substantially higher than the values expected for pure van der Waals interactions. Furthermore, the works of adhesion increased with both normal tension and speed during the sliding, indicating that applied stress played a significant role in the interface's reaction. Complementary MD simulations were run to offer light on the atomic-level events that occurred during the research.