Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to explore the atomic-scale sliding friction, especially the stick-slip friction, in a system consisting of a diamond slider and a silver substrate. The mechanisms of the stick-slip behavior are investigated by considering sliding speeds between 10 m/s and 200 m/s.The analyses of the shear distance between the upmost layer and the downmost layer and displacements of a column of atoms in the slider show that shearing deformation of the slider is the main cause of the stick-slip phenomenon. Our simulations also present that a commensurate fit between the two contact surfaces is unimportant for the stick-slip friction.
The growth of diamond-like carbon （DLC） films is studied using molecular dynamics simulations. The effect of impact angle on film structure is carefully studied, which shows that the transverse migration of the incident atoms is the main channel of film relaxation. A transverse-migration-induced film relaxation model is presented to elucidate the process of film relaxation which advances the original model of subplantation. The process of DLC film growth on a rough surface is also investigated, as well as the evolution of microstructure and surface morphology of the film. A preferential-to-homogeneous growth mode and a smoothing of the film are observed, which are due to the transverse migration of the incident atoms.
