Two-dimensional MXenes: From morphological to optical, electric, and magnetic properties and applications

2D layered materials (2DLMs) are a subject of intense research for a wide variety of applications (e.g., electronics, photonics, and optoelectronics) due to their unique physical properties. Most recently, increasing research efforts on 2DLMs are projected toward the nonlinear optical properties of 2DLMs, which are not only fascinating from the fundamental science point of view but also intriguing for various potential applications. Here, the current state of the art in the field of nonlinear optics based on 2DLMs and their hybrid structures (e.g., mixed-dimensional heterostructures, plasmonic structures, and silicon/fiber integrated structures) is reviewed. Several potential perspectives and possible future research directions of these promising nanomaterials for nonlinear optics are also presented.

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Nonlinear Optics with 2D Layered Materials.

2D transition metal carbides or nitrides, known as MXenes, are a new family of 2D materials with close to 30 members experimentally synthesized and dozens more theoretically investigated. Because o...

MXene/Polymer Membranes: Synthesis, Properties, and Emerging Applications

2D Layered Materials: Synthesis, Nonlinear Optical Properties, and Device Applications

Ultrasmall black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) with an average size of 2.1 ± 0.9 nm are synthesized by using a solvothermal method in a N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solution. Verified by femto-second laser Z-scan measurement, BPQDs exhibit excellent nonlinear optical response with a modulation depth of about 36% and a saturable intensity of about 3.3 GW cm−2. By using BPQDs as optical saturable absorber, the ultrashort pulse with a pulse duration of about 1.08 ps centered at a wavelength of 1567.5 nm is generated in mode-locked fiber laser. These results suggest that BPQDs may be developed as another kind of promising nanomaterial for ultrafast photonics.

Solvothermal Synthesis and Ultrafast Photonics of Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots

Two-dimensional (2D) black phosphorus (BP) shows thickness dependent direct energy band-gaps in association with strong light-matter interaction and broadband optical response, rendering it with promising optoelectronic advantages particularly at the telecommunication band. However, intrinsic BP suffers from irreversible oxidization, restricting its competences toward real device applications. As one potential of 2D materials, all-optical signal processing sensitively depends on the strength of light–matter interaction. BP can be utilized as a novel optical medium. Herein, few-layer BP is synthesized with metal-ion-modification against oxidation and degradation, and then the feasibility of BP-coated microfiber as an optical Kerr switcher and a four-wave-mixing-based wavelength converter is demonstrated. The wavelength-tuning, long-term stability, wide-band RF frequency, and time-repeating measurements confirm that this optical device can operate as a broadband all-optical processor. It is further anticipa...

Black Phosphorus Based All-Optical-Signal-Processing: Toward High Performances and Enhanced Stability

Phosphorene, mono/few-layered black phosphorous with advantages of tunable energy bandgaps and strong light–matter interaction, is fabricated by electrochemical intercalation with large area (≈3 µm) and controllable thickness (mainly four layers). Thanks to the direct gap and resonant absorption of four-layer phosphorene at the telecommunication band, all-optical thresholding and optical modulation are demonstrated for optical communications by using few-layer phosphorene-decorated microfibers. This device is experimentally verified as an efficient noise suppressor that can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and reshape the deteriorated signal pulse, and also as an optical modulator that can switch the signal on/off by pumping light. The findings, as the first prototypic device of all-optical thresholding and optical modulation, might facilitate the development of phosphorene-based optical communication technologies.

Ke Wang

Papers

Black Phosphorus Based All-Optical-Signal-Processing: Toward High Performances and Enhanced Stability

Few-Layer Phosphorene-Decorated Microfiber for All-Optical Thresholding and Optical Modulation

Nonlinear Few-Layer Antimonene-Based All-Optical Signal Processing: Ultrafast Optical Switching and High-Speed Wavelength Conversion

Nonlinear Few-Layer MXene-Assisted All-Optical Wavelength Conversion at Telecommunication Band

Bilayer Bismuth Selenide nanoplatelets based saturable absorber for ultra-short pulse generation (Invited)