Abstract It has been recently demonstrated that moire pattern formed between graphene and supporting crystalline substrate can modulate atomic friction [1–3] which provides a novel strategy to control friction at the nanoscale. Despite the high potential of this new approach, its underlying mechanism is still unclear. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, we reveal that moire pattern induced lateral force modulation arises from geometric undulation of graphene due to its different stacking states on the substrate. As a result, a periodic offset modulation in lateral force is produced when a tip slides over graphene with varying height. Since height undulations could be induced either by weak van der Waals interactions or by stronger semi-covalent bonds in moire superlattice structures [1,3–5], we expect the revealed mechanism to be generally applicable for explaining lateral force modulation of these two-dimensional heterostructures.

中文翻译：

---

莫尔超晶格结构的横向力调制：在周期性起伏的石墨烯片上冲浪

摘要 最近已经证明，石墨烯和支撑晶体基板之间形成的莫尔图案可以调节原子摩擦[1-3]，这提供了一种在纳米尺度上控制摩擦的新策略。尽管这种新方法具有很高的潜力，但其潜在机制仍不清楚。使用分子动力学 (MD) 模拟，我们发现莫尔条纹引起的横向力调制源于石墨烯的几何起伏，因为石墨烯在基板上的堆叠状态不同。结果，当尖端在具有不同高度的石墨烯上滑动时，会产生横向力的周期性偏移调制。由于微弱的范德华相互作用或莫尔超晶格结构中更强的半共价键可能会引起高度波动 [1,3-5]，