The
ever-increasing space exploration enterprise calls for novel
and high-quality radiation-resistant materials, among which nonlinear
optical materials and devices are particularly scarce. Two-dimensional
(2D) materials have shown promising potential, but the radiation effects
on their nonlinear optical properties remain largely elusive. We previously
fabricated 2D bismuthene for mode-locking sub-ns laser; herein, their
space adaption was evaluated under a simulated space radiation environment.
The as-synthesized thin layers of bismuthene exhibited strong third-order
nonlinear optical responses extending into the near-infrared region.
Remarkably, when exposed to 60Co γ-rays and electron
irradiation, the bismuthene showed only slight degradation in saturable
absorption behaviors that were critical for mode-locking in space.
Ultrafast spectroscopy was applied to address the radiation effects
and damage mechanisms that are difficult to understand by routine
techniques. This work offers a new bottom-up approach for preparing
2D bismuthene, and the elucidation of its fundamental excited-state
dynamics after radiation also provides a guideline to optimize the
material for eventual space applications.
Space exploration urgently demands novel irradiation-tolerate materials to build the arsenal for outer space use, among which nonlinear optical materials and devices become ever-increasing attractive. Tin sulfide (SnS), a novel...
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