Shear-strain controlled high-harmonic generation in graphene

We propose a method for controlling the high-harmonic generation (HHG) with a high dynamic range in single-layer graphene. We find that, by utilizing shear strain, a significant enhancement or quenching of HHG is possible over a range of several orders of magnitude. This feature is made possible by the resonance mechanism at a van Hove singularity. Therein, the shear strain controls the configurations of the two Dirac cones, resulting in changes in the energy and dipole moment at the saddle point of the band dispersion. Our findings provide a way for modulating or switching light by using a nano-optomechanical device composed of single-layer graphene.