Boundary Friction on Molecular Lubricants: Rolling Mode?

A theoretical model is proposed for low temperature friction between two smooth rigid solid surfaces separated by lubricant molecules, admitting their deformations and rotations. Appearance of different modes of energy dissipation (by ‘‘rocking’’ or ‘‘rolling’’ of lubricants) at slow relative displacement of the surfaces is shown to be accompanied by the stick-and-slip features and reveals a non-monotonic (mean) friction force {\it vs} external load