Work

Superlubricity of Graphite

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: Using a home-built frictional force microscope that is able to detect forces in three dimensions with a lateral force resolution down to 15 pN, we have studied the energy dissipation between a tungsten tip sliding over a graphite surface in dry contact. By measuring atomic-scale friction as a function of the rotational angle between two contacting bodies, we show that the origin of the ultralow friction of graphite lies in the incommensurability between rotated graphite layers, an effect proposed under the name of "superlubricity" [Phys. Rev. B 41, 11 837 (1990)]].

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.92.126101

Authors: Martin Dienwiebel, Gertjan S. Verhoeven, Namboodiri Pradeep, Joost W. M. Frenken, Jennifer A. Heimberg, Henny W. Zandbergen

Institutions: Leiden University, Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics, Delft University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2122689218

FWCI: 19.83

Cites: 26

Cited by: 1,431

Related to: 10