We report the atomic-scale peeling of a single-layer graphene on a graphite substrate, in which stick-slip sliding of the single-layer graphene occurs at the atomic scale while maintaining AB-stacking registry with the graphite substrate. The peeling force curve clearly exhibits a transition from surface-contact to line-contact between the graphene and graphite surfaces. The amplitude of the peeling force depends on the lattice orientation of the surface, which is affected by the sliding force at the interface between the graphene and graphite surfaces. This study of peeling at the atomic scale will clarify the relationship among peeling, friction, adhesion, and superlubricity.
