Critical shear stress of gold nanocontacts estimated by in situ transmission electron microscopy equipped with a quartz length-extension resonator

The critical shear stress (CSS) of gold nanocontacts (NCs) was estimated using a home-made in situ transmission electron microscopy holder equipped with a quartz length-extension resonator (LER) as a force sensor. The LER was being oscillated at its resonance frequency utilizing frequency modulation method, enabled us to measure the dissipative energy in the NCs. From the LER amplitude dependence of dissipative energy, we determined the value of CSS to be 0.94 GPa. The dissipation was reproduced by applying this CSS value to a simple slip model with a hysteretic force-displacement curve, suggesting the possibility of elucidating the plastic deformation mechanism.

Automated summary

By estimating the critical shear stress (CSS) of gold nanocontacts using an in situ transmission electron microscopy holder equipped with a quartz length-extension resonator (LER) as a force sensor, the value of CSS was determined to be 0.94 GPa. Reproducing the dissipation by applying this CSS value to a simple slip model with a hysteretic force-displacement curve suggests the potential for elucidating the plastic deformation mechanism.