Nonlinear dynamics in sliding processes:the single-particle case

Dynamical behaviours of the motion of particles in a periodic potential under a constant driving velocity by a spring at one end are explored. In the stationary case, the stable equilibrium position of the particle experiences an elasticity instability transition. When the driving velocity is nonzero, depending on the elasticity coefficient and the pulling velocity, the system exhibits complicated and interesting dynamics, such as periodic and chaotic motions. The results obtained here may shed light on studies of dynamical processes in sliding friction.