Resonant Optomechanical Tension and Crumpling of 2D Crystals

Recent years have seen a tremendous interest to atomically thin membranes such as graphene or monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides. Owing to their light mass and strong optical resonances, such membranes have become a promising platform for nanoscale resonant optomechanics. However, the considerations of the light-membrane interaction have been mostly restricted to the well-known light pressure and heating. Here, we theoretically predict a fundamentally different optomechanical effect that is specific for membranes. Namely, we demonstrate that illumination of optically resonant membranes by a plane electromagnetic wave directly affects their mechanical tension. The induced optomechanical tension is anisotropic and, depending on the spectral detuning from the resonance, can be both positive and negative. In the latter case, it can overcome the bending rigidity of the membrane leading to transition to the crumpled phase. Our fundamental findings apply from manipulation of biological cell membranes to controllable furling and unfurling of solar sails.