Molecular dynamics simulation of brittle fracture in silicon.
Brittle fracture in silicon is simulated with molecular dynamics utilizing a modified embedded atom method potential. The simulations produce propagating crack speeds that are in agreement with previous experimental results over a large range of fracture energy. The dynamic fracture toughness is found to be equal to the energy consumed by creating surfaces and lattice defects in agreement with theoretical predictions. The dynamic fracture toughness is approximately 1/3 of the static strain energy release rate, which results in a limiting crack speed of 2/3 of the Rayleigh wave speed.
Materials Science and Technology Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
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JG
Swadener
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MI
Baskes
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Nastasi