Model for phononic energy dissipation in friction

Abstract

We have developed a microscopic model of phononic energy dissipation in friction that involves the generation of a local excess phonon distribution in a nanoparticle between two sliding objects, and its damping into the objects. The conversion of the energy stored in the nanoparticle into excess phonons and their decay rates are calculated. The model can be extended to include randomly distributed nanoparticles and phonon-phonon interaction through anharmonic couplings. By using this model we present a quantitative analysis of energy dissipation in sliding friction.