Molecular-dynamics simulation of avalanche in adhesion in a two-dimensional solid

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Abstract
Molecular-dynamics simulations of the approach of two-dimensional solid surfaces are presented. At very low temperatures the surfaces avalanche or collapse to form a strained solid with no defects. Such behavior is qualitatively similar to that predicted recently by energy-minimization approaches. We observe that as the temperature is increased, individual atoms on the surface become increasingly unstable and there is a tendency to form bridges and discrete voids in the bond-line region. This phenomenon gives rise to a glasslike state in the interfacial region and provides a driving force for the production of dislocations and other defects that are far removed from the interface.