Abstract
When $MoS_2$ is thinned to single layer (1L), photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield drastically increases due to emergence of direct band gap. A recent theory predicts that the electronic structure of 1L $MoS_2$ is very sensitive to its lattice constants. We investigated the response of 1L $MoS_2$ to biaxial tensile strain using spatially resolved PL and Raman spectroscopy. Changes in the lattice constants were monitored by the Raman frequency of the in-plane ($E^1{_2g}$) mode. Systematic correlations between PL and Ramanspectral features, revealed in the preliminary results, will be further tested with samples on other substrates and against thermal stress. The results will also be discussed in regard to the theory which predicts that 1L $MoS_2$ becomes an indirect semiconductor at small tensile strain and turns metallic when further extended.