Stable nanobridge formation in 〈1 1 0〉 gold nanowires under tensile deformation

We present atomistic simulations of 〈1 1 0〉 oriented gold nanowires under tensile deformation. We find that 〈1 1 0〉 gold nanowires tend to form elongated, stable nanobridges upon necking, which is in agreement with previous experimental observations. In addition, the simulations reveal that the formation of a high strength multishell lattice structure during the plastic deformation of the 〈1 1 0〉 wires may account for the stability of the elongated nanobridges observed experimentally.