We present the science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems, targeting an evolution in technology, that might lead to impacts and benefits reaching into most areas of society. This roadmap was developed within the framework of the European Graphene Flagship and outlines the main targets and research areas as best understood at the start of this ambitious project. We provide an overview of the key aspects of graphene and related materials (GRMs), ranging from fundamental research challenges to a variety of applications in a large number of sectors, highlighting the steps necessary to take GRMs from a state of raw potential to a point where they might revolutionize multiple industries. We also define an extensive list of acronyms in an effort to standardize the nomenclature in this emerging field.

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Science and technology roadmap for graphene, related two-dimensional crystals, and hybrid systems

This Review discusses the emerging field of mid-infrared frequency comb generation, including technologies based on novel laser gain media, nonlinear frequency conversion and microresonators, as well as the applications of these combs in precision spectroscopy and direct frequency comb spectroscopy. Laser frequency combs are coherent light sources that emit a broad spectrum of discrete, evenly spaced narrow lines whose absolute frequency can be measured to within the accuracy of an atomic clock. Their development in the near-infrared and visible domains has revolutionized frequency metrology while also providing numerous unexpected opportunities in other fields such as astronomy and attosecond science. Researchers are now exploring how to extend frequency comb techniques to the mid-infrared spectral region. Versatile mid-infrared frequency comb generators based on novel laser gain media, nonlinear frequency conversion or microresonators promise to significantly expand the applications of frequency combs. In particular, novel approaches to molecular spectroscopy in the 'fingerprint region', with dramatically improved precision, sensitivity, recording time and/or spectral bandwidth may lead to new discoveries in the various fields relevant to molecular science.

Mid-infrared frequency combs

Fibre lasers in the mid-infrared regime are useful for a diverse range of fields, including chemical and biomedical sensing, military applications and materials processing. This Review summarizes the different rare-earth cations and host materials used in mid-infrared fibre laser technology, and discusses the future applications and challenges for the field.

Towards high-power mid-infrared emission from a fibre laser

Polymer composites are one of the most attractive near-term means to exploit the unique properties of carbon nanotubes and graphene. This is particularly true for composites aimed at electronics and photonics, where a number of promising applications have already been demonstrated. One such example is nanotube-based saturable absorbers. These can be used as all-optical switches, optical amplifier noise suppressors, or mode-lockers to generate ultrashort laser pulses. Here, we review various aspects of fabrication, characterization, device implementation and operation of nanotube-polymer composites to be used in photonic applications. We also summarize recent results on graphene-based saturable absorbers for ultrafast lasers.

Nanotube–Polymer Composites for Ultrafast Photonics

Under strong laser radiation, a Dirac material, the topological insulator (TI) Bi2Te3, exhibits an optical transmittance increase as a result of saturable absorption. Based on an open-aperture Z-scan measurement at 1550 nm, we clearly show that the TI, Bi2Te3 under our investigation, is indeed a very-high-modulation-depth (up to 95%) saturable absorber. Furthermore, a TI based saturable absorber device was fabricated and used as a passive mode locker for ultrafast pulse formation at the telecommunication band. This contribution unambiguously shows that apart from its fantastic electronic property, a TI (Bi2Te3) may also possess attractive optoelectronic property for ultrafast photonics.

Ultra-short pulse generation by a topological insulator based saturable absorber

We report a ring-cavity thulium fiber laser mode locked with a single-wall carbon nanotube absorber used in transmission. A carboxymethyl cellulose polymer film with incorporated carbon nanotubes synthesized by the arc discharge method has an absorption coinciding with in the amplification bandwidth of a Tm-doped fiber. This laser is pumped by an erbium fiber laser at 1.57 μm wavelength and produces a 37 MHz train of mode-locked 1.32 ps pulses at 1.93 μm wavelength with an average output power of 3.4 mW.

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Mode-locked 1.93 μm thulium fiber laser with a carbon nanotube absorber

We report on what is to our knowledge the first fabrication of fiber Bragg gratings by UV femtosecond radiation. The Bragg gratings, with photoinduced refractive-index modulation up to 1.92 x 10(-3) in H2-loaded SMF-28 and up to 1.05 x 10(-3) in Nufern GF1 fibers, were written by high-intensity (31-77-GW/cm2) femtosecond pulses at 264 nm. The dependence of the refractive-index modulation on intensity at equal fluences points to a two-photon absorption mechanism for grating inscription.

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Inscription of fiber Bragg gratings by ultraviolet femtosecond radiation.

We demonstrate a mid-infrared Raman-soliton continuum extending from 1.9 to 3 µm in a highly germanium-doped silica-clad fiber, pumped by a nanotube mode-locked thulium-doped fiber system, delivering 12 kW sub-picosecond pulses at 1.95 µm. This simple and robust source of light covers a portion of the atmospheric transmission window.

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Mid-infrared Raman-soliton continuum pumped by a nanotube-mode-locked sub-picosecond Tm-doped MOPFA

A wideband near-IR (NIR) luminescence centered at 1080 nm was found in a RbPb(2)Cl(5):Bi single crystal grown by the Bridgman technique. Absorption, luminescence, and excitation of luminescence spectra were investigated at room and cryogenic temperatures. The luminescence was proposed to be due to the (3)P(1)-->(3)P(0) transition in Bi(+) ion.

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Near-infrared luminescence of RbPb2Cl5:Bi crystals.

A new type of in-fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on a pair of long-period gratings is proposed This interferometer can be used to measure the refractive index induced in fibers and that of the surrounding medium

Evgueni M. Dianov

Papers

Mode-locked 1.93 μm thulium fiber laser with a carbon nanotube absorber

Inscription of fiber Bragg gratings by ultraviolet femtosecond radiation.

Mid-infrared Raman-soliton continuum pumped by a nanotube-mode-locked sub-picosecond Tm-doped MOPFA

Near-infrared luminescence of RbPb2Cl5:Bi crystals.

In-fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on a pair of long-period gratings