Harnack Inequalities and Discrete-Continuous Error Estimates for a Chain of Atoms with Two-Body Interactions

We consider deformations in R-3 of an infinite linear chain of atoms where each atom interacts with all others through a two-body potential. We compute the effect of an external force applied to the chain. At equilibrium, the positions of the particles satisfy an Euler-Lagrange equation. For large classes of potentials, we prove that every solution is well approximated by the solution of a continuous model when applied forces and displacements of the atoms are small. We establish an error estimate between the discrete and the continuous solution based on a Harnack lemma of independent interest. Finally we apply our results to some Lennard-Jones potentials.