Transition from static to kinetic friction of metallic nanoparticles

Nanometer scale metallic islands were manipulated on a graphite surface by placing the tip of an atomic force microscope on top of the particles. Above a certain lateral force threshold particle sliding is observed, which allows us to quantify the transition from static to kinetic friction. This transition shows hysteretic character in the force domain and is characterized by a constant ratio of kinetic versus static friction of one half.