Strain-Modulated Optical Properties of Monolayer Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide

Abstract

Transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayers (e.g., WS2, WSe2, MoS2, and MoSe2) have been shown—from both simulations and experiments—to exhibit interesting strain-engineering capabilities in which their optical and electronic properties could be controlled with strain. This paper will discuss the fabrication processes and straining mechanisms for applying large mechanical strain on these monolayers and evaluate their effectiveness through the analyses of photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy data of a WS2 monolayer under various amounts of tensile strain. Improvements and future experiments are also proposed.