Molecular dynamics simulation of brittle fracture in silicon. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Brittle fracture in silicon is simulated with molecular dynamics utilizing a modified embedded atom method potential. The simulations produce propagating crack speeds that are in agreement with previous experimental results over a large range of fracture energy. The dynamic fracture toughness is found to be equal to the energy consumed by creating surfaces and lattice defects in agreement with theoretical predictions. The dynamic fracture toughness is approximately 1/3 of the static strain energy release rate, which results in a limiting crack speed of 2/3 of the Rayleigh wave speed.

published proceedings

  • Phys Rev Lett

author list (cited authors)

  • Swadener, J. G., Baskes, M. I., & Nastasi, M.

citation count

  • 129

complete list of authors

  • Swadener, JG||Baskes, MI||Nastasi, M

publication date

  • August 2002