Hysteresis in the underdamped three-layer model.

The hysteretic phenomena were investigated in the three-layer model consisting of a chain of harmonically interacting atoms confined between two rigid periodical substrate potentials, where the top substrate was driven by a external force. The pinning to running and the running-to pinning transitions were examined as the driving force was varied and the influence of the equilibrium spacing and strength of the interaction of the particles in the middle layer on the static and kinetic friction force analyzed in detail. The parameter space in which the friction forces could reach their maxima or minima was determined. These results could be interesting for the selection of lubricant materials and minimization of energy loss in tribology.