AVS 53rd International Symposium
    Nanometer-scale Science and Technology Wednesday Sessions
       Session NS+SS+TF-WeM

Paper NS+SS+TF-WeM12
Superconductivity Dependent Friction of Water, Nitrogen and Superheated He Films Adsorbed on Pb(111)

Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 11:40 am, Room 2016

Session: Nanotribology and Nanomechanics
Presenter: J. Krim, North Carolina State University
Authors: J. Krim, North Carolina State University
M. Highland, North Carolina State University
Correspondent: Click to Email
The ability to predict sliding friction in adsorbed film systems underlies a vast range of topics in physics and nanotechnology, spanning the origins of static friction to the design of atomic-scale automobiles. One still hotly debated topic in this area is the degree to which electronic effects contribute to friction. In order to explore this issue, we have performed a quartz crystal microbalance study of sliding friction levels in nitrogen, water and superheated helium films adsorbed on Pb(111)@footnote 1@ and also self-affine fractal Pb substrates alternating in and out of the superconducting state. Reductions in friction upon entry into the superconducting state are greater for nitrogen than helium, consistent with a recent theory that linked electronic friction to adsorbate polarizability. Repetitive cycling of the externally applied magnetic field is observed to reduce overall friction levels.@footnote 2@ @FootnoteText@ @footnote 1@ M. Highland and J. Krim, Phys. Rev. Lett., in press (2006)@footnote 2@ Work supported by NSF and AFOSR.