  We perform micro-photoluminescence and Raman experiments to examine the
impact of biaxial tensile strain on the optical properties of WS2 monolayers. A
strong shift on the order of -130 meV per % of strain is observed in the
neutral exciton emission at room temperature. Under near-resonant excitation we
measure a monotonic decrease in the circular polarization degree under applied
strain. We experimentally separate the effect of the strain-induced energy
detuning and evaluate the pure effect coming from biaxial strain. The analysis
shows that the suppression of the circular polarization degree under biaxial
strain is related to an interplay of energy and polarization relaxation
channels as well as to variations in the exciton oscillator strength affecting
the long-range exchange interaction.
