Dynamic Fracture in Single Crystal Silicon

Authors:
  • JHJens A. Hauch
    Jens A. Hauch
  • DHDominic Holland
    Dominic Holland
  • MMM. P. Marder
    M. P. Marder
  • HSHarry L. Swinney
    Harry L. Swinney
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Abstract
We have measured the velocity of a running crack in brittle single crystal silicon as a function of energy flow to the crack tip. We have also performed molecular dynamics simulations of brittle crack motion at the atomic scale that are sensitive to interatomic potentials. Experiments and molecular dynamics simulations disagree showing that interatomic potentials are not yet well understood.