Strains and pseudo-magnetic fields in circular graphene rings

Abstract

We demonstrate that circular graphene ring under a shear stress displays strong pseudo-magnetic fields. We calculate the pseudo-magnetic field both from continuum elasticity theory as well as molecular dynamics simulations. Stable wrinkles are induced by shear deformations and lead to enhancement of the pseudo-magnetic field. The strong pseudo-magnetic field found here can be observed by imaging graphene flake at the atomic level e.g. through scanning tunneling microscope.

11 pages, 8 figures. (Appendixes A and B are added) To appear in Phys. Rev. B