Short linear atomic chains in copper nanowires

We have performed realistic molecular dynamics simulations of copper nanowires (NWs) under stress along some crystallographic directions until their rupture to help understand the properties of these NWs at an atomistic level. We compare the structural arrangement during the elongation with the dynamical evolution of copper NWs observed in high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) experiments, and they are in good agreement. Finally, we report the formation of short linear atomic chains (LACs) before breaking that occurs in all cases indicating the possibility to use copper as metallic nanocontacts.