Gauge fields, ripples and wrinkles in graphene layers

F. Guineaa, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Baruch Horovitzb and P. Le Doussalc

aInstituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, CSIC, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain

bDepartment of Physics, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel

cCNRS-Laboratoire de Physique Théorique de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24 rue Lhomond, 75231 Cedex 05, Paris, France

Received 7 November 2008; 
revised 2 February 2009; 
accepted 2 February 2009. 
by the Guest Editors. 
Available online 20 March 2009.

Abstract

We analyze elastic deformations of graphene sheets which lead to effective gauge fields acting on the charge carriers. Corrugations in the substrate induce stresses which, in turn, can give rise to mechanical instabilities and the formation of wrinkles. Similar effects may take place in suspended graphene samples under tension.

Keywords: A. Graphene; A. Membrane; D. Ripples; D. Deformation

PACS classification codes: 73.20.-r; 73.20.Hb; 73.23.-b; 73.43.-f

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