Strain distribution due to surface domains: a self-consistent approach with respect to surface elasticity

Abstract : Elastically mediated interactions between surface domains are classically described in terms of point forces. Such point forces lead to local strain divergences that are usually avoided by introducing a poorly defined cutoff length. In this work, we develop a self-consistent approach in which the strain field induced by the surface domains is expressed as the solution of an integral equation that contains surface elastic constants, S ij. For surfaces with positive S ij the new approach avoids the introduction of a cutoff length. The classical and the new approaches are compared in case of 1-D periodic ribbons.