The description of friction of silicon MEMS with surface roughness: virtues and limitations of a stochastic Prandtl¿Tomlinson model and the simulation of vibration-induced friction reduction

Journal article (2010)

Authors

W.M. van Spengen Micro and Nano Engineering - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
V Turq External organisation
JWM Frenken External organisation
Research Group
Micro and Nano Engineering (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2010

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Precision and Microsystems Engineering

Research Group

Micro and Nano Engineering

Abstract

We have replaced the periodic Prandtl¿Tomlinson model with an atomic-scale friction model with a random roughness term describing the surface roughness of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices with sliding surfaces. This new model is shown to exhibit the same features as previously reported experimental MEMS friction loop data. The correlation function of the surface roughness is shown to play a critical role in the modelling. It is experimentally obtained by probing the sidewall surfaces of a MEMS device flipped upright in on-chip hinges with an AFM (atomic force microscope). The addition of a modulation term to the model allows us to also simulate the effect of vibration-induced friction reduction (normal-force modulation), as a function of both vibration amplitude and frequency. The results obtained agree very well with measurement data reported previously.