11,759 research outputs found
Interplay between Quantum Size Effect and Strain Effect on Growth of Nanoscale Metal Thin Film
We develop a theoretical framework to investigate the interplay between
quantum size effect (QSE) and strain effect on the stability of metal
nanofilms. The QSE and strain effect are shown to be coupled through the
concept of "quantum electronic stress. First-principles calculations reveal
large quantum oscillations in the surface stress of metal nanofilms as a
function of film thickness. This adds extrinsically additional strain-coupled
quantum oscillations to surface energy of strained metal nanofilms. Our theory
enables a quantitative estimation of the amount of strain in experimental
samples, and suggests strain be an important factor contributing to the
discrepancies between the existing theories and experiments
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