Buckling induced by a topological defect in a chain

Abstract

The chain buckling induced by a topological defect (anti-kink) is investigated using a generalized Frenkel–Kontorova model. Instead of a single-peak appeared in the classical Euler instability, the buckling shape induced by the topological defect is a Sine-like pattern (two-peaks) that is antisymmetric regarding the point of the maximum stress. Evolution of the unstable buckling mode is clearly characterized by two time scales: one is the lifetime of the unstable phase, the other is the growth rate of the new phase. The phase transition curve of the buckling is a linear function of the chain length.