Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Elongation of Copper–Platinum Nanocontacts

The formation of nanocontacts consisting of copper (Cu) and platinum (Pt) atoms at various temperatures (0–300 K), relative concentrations of platinum atoms (0–20%), and elongation directions [100], [110], and [111] is investigated using molecular dynamics method. The nanocontact breaking area has a complex amorphous structure, for the description of which we propose three models. To determine the quantitative contributions from these models to the structure of the breaking area, we analyze the short-range order using the radial distribution function. The temperature dependence of the nanocontact structure in the breaking area is analyzed.