Uniqueness of Neutral Elastic Circular Nano-Inhomogeneities in Antiplane Shear and Plane Deformations

In elasticity theory, a neutral inhomogeneity is defined as a foreign body which can be introduced into a host solid without disturbing the stress field in the solid. The existence of circular neutral elastic nano-inhomogeneities has been established for both antiplane shear and plane deformations when the interface effect is described by constant interface parameters, and the surrounding matrix is subjected to uniform external loading. It is of interest to determine whether noncircular neutral nano-inhomogeneities can be constructed under the same conditions. In fact, we prove that only the circular elastic nano-inhomogeneity can achieve neutrality under these conditions with the radius of the inhomogeneity determined by the corresponding (constant) interface parameters and bulk elastic constants. In particular, in the case of plane deformations, the (uniform) external loading imposed on the matrix must be hydrostatic in order for the corresponding circular nano-inhomogeneity to achieve neutrality. Moreover, we find that, even when we relax the interface condition to allow for a nonuniform interface effect (described by variable interface parameters), in the case of plane deformations, only the elliptical nano-inhomogeneity can achieve neutrality.