Role of solitons in sliding friction models

We construct a computer code to solve the (Nosé Hoover) finite-temperature classical dynamics of a Lennard-Jones solid lubricant slab between two rigid solid substrates. The code is based on a standard periodically repeated supercell scheme, which imposes relative substrates/lubricant densities. We investigate the possible occurrence of Moiré patterns due to incommensurability, and for the dragging of such Moiré patterns producing a state of ”quantized” lubricant velocity. In the few numerical experiments we run due to limited time, we do not find such special states, but observe standard stick-slip friction. Advisor: Dr. Nicola Manini Co-Advisor: Dr. Rosario Capozza