MD Simulation of MEMS “Stiction” and “Snap-back” Phenomena
Tian wenchao
1, a
, Zhao Laiqiang
1, a
1
Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
a
tianwenchao@21cn.com,
b
shaqiang117307@126.com
Key words: stiction; snap-back; molecule dynamic; neck-separation
Acbstrat.
Aiming to explain phenomena of “stiction” and “snap-back”, a ball-surface adhesion is
simulated with molecular dynamics (MD) based on multi-body EAM potential function. Surface
atoms “summon up” and migrate, which lead to the phenomenon of “stiction”. The migration
velocity of interface atom is not consistent. Some atoms migrate too fast, which lead to the
phenomenon of “snap-back”. The “Snap-back” phenomenon appears twice during the adhesion
process. A “neck-separation” phenomenon is found. The adhesive force in the separation process
obviously lagged the adhesive force in the contact process, which shows there is energy loss during
the adhesion process. The curve of adhesion deformation is simulated finally, and compared with
relevant results.
Introduction
With the development of micro/nano electro-mechanical technology (MEMS/NEMS) and atoms
molecular manipulation technology, characteristic size becomes more and more small. Both of
in-use stiction and release- stiction have serious influence on the device reliability
[1]
. In the
adhesion process, when gap reduce to a certain value, a phenomenon of “snap-back” will occur.
Moving substance will “jump” to contact fixed substance quickly, such as a jump between the tip
and sample during atomic force microscope (AFM) test. Reference
[1]
analyzed the influence of the
Van Waals force on stiction and found the phenomenon of “double snap-back”. Reference
[2]
analyzed AFM stiction based on the Hamaker principle. Reference
[3,4]
analyzed the influence of the
Casmir force on stiction. Reference
[5]
analyzed the influence of the Van Waals force on elastic
stiction. Although the research of stiction has achieved some results, the following problems also
exist:
1) Lack of the analysis of the repulsive force (short-distance force). Whether Van Waals force or
Casimir force in stiction is attractive force (long-distance force), which is not in accord with the
physical phenomenon. The physical phenomenon shows that stiction will be static. Then only
attractive force can not remain stationary. And that, there is no unified view between Casimir force
and Van Waals force. Some researchers think that Casimir force is the extension of Van Waals force
long-distance part, while some researchers think that Casimir force is different from Van Waals
force.
2) The mechanism of stiction and “snap-back” is not clear. The recent study mainly finds
“snap-back” point by numerical simulating, or nanoindentor. The real mechanism is still not clear.
In view of size effect of MEMS/NEMS, it is necessary to start from microscopic discrete field to
reveal the problem of stiction and “snap-back”. Molecular dynamics (MD) is called as a kind of
digital experiment technology. It reveals micro continuous substance movement rules by
constituting the micro discrete particle multi-body model and simulating microscopic particles
motion process. MD has become a new hotspot
[6]
.
Key Engineering Materials Vols. 562-565 (2013) pp 1177-1181
© (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.562-565.1177
All rights reserved. No part of contents of this paper may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of TTP,
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