Abstract
The dynamic evolution of a gold nanojunction has been investigated by incorporation of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) in a wide range of strain rates, covering nonequilibrium, quasi-equilibrium, and equilibrium tensile states. Theoretical simulations corresponding to the nonequilibrium and quasi-equilibrium states demonstrated that the metallic nanojunction spontaneously grew in the time scale of ∼1 ns. In the final stage, the gap increment revealed a unique stepwise feature, corresponding to the atomic-resolved tip reconstruction. When strain rate varied from 489.6 to 0.245 m/s, the gap was reduced from 4.0 to 1.3 nm. In the regime of equilibrium stretching, i.e., several nanometers per second, the experimental MCBJ results gave a mean gap size of 0.4 ± 0.1 nm, which showed less strain rate dependence. This value corresponded well to the absolute value of the stepwise increment of the gap due to the local tip recrystallization as estimated by the MD simulation. The agreement between theoretical modeling and experimental measurement demonstrates that the combination is a good strategy in nanoscience.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.