Related papers: Evidence for contact delocalization in atomic scal…
Local kinetic constraints in quantum many-body systems can generate slow dynamics or complete many-body localisation. Here we focus on a modification of the quantum East model: Inspired by random matrix theory, we randomise the connectivity…
We study the critical behavior of low-frequency vibrations of packings with pinned particles near the jamming point. Soft modes form a plateau in the density of states and its frequency is controlled by the contact number as the ordinary…
We theoretically investigate the properties of two interacting ultracold highly magnetic atoms trapped in a one-dimensional harmonic potential. The atoms interact via an anisotropic long-range dipole-dipole interaction, which in one…
We present a robust but still efficient simulation approach for high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy with a flexible tip apex showing sharp submolecular features. The approach takes into account the electronic structure of sample…
We study the fluid-mediated approach of a deformable axisymmetric object towards a rigid substrate, focusing on how its shape influences contact formation. For low approach velocities and large Stokes numbers, we show that sharper profiles…
We report on the multi-contact frictional dynamics of model elastomer surfaces rubbed against bare glass slides. The surfaces consist of layers patterned with thousands spherical caps (radius of curvature 100 $\mu$m) distributed both…
We study the center-of-mass motion in systems of trapped interacting particles with space- and velocity-dependent friction and anharmonic traps. Our approach, based on a dynamical ansatz assuming a fixed density profile, allows us to obtain…
Frictional properties of interfaces with dynamic chemical bonds have been the subject of intensive experimental investigation and modeling, as it provides important insights into the molecular origin of the empirical rate and state laws,…
The pervasive phenomenon of friction has been studied at the nanoscale by controlled manipulation of single atoms and molecules, which permitted a precise determination of the static friction force necessary to initiate motion. However,…
Atomic force microscopes have proved to be fundamental research tools in many situations where a gentle imaging process is required, and in a variety of environmental conditions, such as the study of biological samples. Among the possible…
We present a minimal quasistatic 1D model describing the kinematics of the transition from static friction to stick-slip motion of a linear elastic block on a rigid plane. We show how the kinematics of both the precursors to frictional…
We realize a mechanical analogue of the Dicke model, achieved by coupling the spin of individual neutral atoms to their quantized motion in an optical trapping potential. The atomic spin states play the role of the electronic states of the…
Molecular dynamics simulations are used to study different definitions of contact at the atomic scale. The roles of temperature, adhesive interactions and atomic structure are studied for simple geometries. An elastic, crystalline substrate…
We study fluctuations in plasmonic electroluminescence at the single-atom limit profiting from the precision of a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. First, we investigate the influence of a controlled single-atom transfer on the…
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has a great potential as a tool to characterize mechanical and morphological properties of living cells; these properties have been shown to correlate with cells' fate and patho-physiological state in view of…
Using molecular dynamics (MD) we study the dependency of the contact mechanics on the sliding speed when an elastically soft slab (block) is sliding on a rigid substrate with a ${\rm sin} (q_0 x)$ surface height profile. The atoms on the…
Amorphous materials as diverse as foams, emulsions, colloidal suspensions and granular media can jam into a rigid, disordered state where they withstand finite shear stresses before yielding. Here we review the current understanding of the…
The influence of lateral vibrations on the stick-slip motion of a nanotip elastically pulled on a flat crystal surface is studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements on a NaCl(001) surface in ultra-high vacuum. The slippage of the…
We performed molecular dynamics (MD) experiments to explore dry sliding friction at the nanoscale. We used the setup comprised of a spherical particle built up of 32,000 aluminium atoms, resting on a semi-space with a free surface, modelled…
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool to investigate interaction forces at the micro and nanoscale. Cantilever stiffness, dimensions and geometry of the tip can be chosen according to the requirements of the specific application,…