Electronic Sliding Friction of Atoms Physisorbed at Superconductor Surface

Abstract

The electronic component of sliding friction of physisorbed atoms oscillating above a flat metal surface is calculated using the frequency dependent image potential theory of Tomassone and Widom extended to a two-fluid model superconductor. Our results suggest a theoretical picture for the recent experiments of Krim et al., who observed that the sliding friction of adsorbates on vibrating metal surfaces undergoes a sharp drop in its temperature dependence at the transition to the superconducting state. We propose a tentative qualitative interpretation which allows us to clarify some questions concerning these experiments as posed by Persson and Tosatti.

Source-reported materials — not catalogue approval

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