Integration and Applications of Nanomaterials for Ultrafast Photonics

Abstract

Nanomaterials with remarkable optical, mechanical, and electrical properties have shed new light on various fields including optoelectronics, sensors, biomedicine, and ultrafast photonics. Particularly, owing to their nonlinear optical properties, fast recovery time, and broadband operation, nanomaterials are well qualified as saturable absorbers in ultrafast pulsed lasers. Over the development of the past decades, various nanomaterials have been developed as saturable absorbers, which contribute to a diversity of lasers with excellent performance. Therefore, it is important for researchers to provide a landmark of the applications of nanomaterials in ultrafast photonics concerning cutting‐edge development. Herein, the integration and applications of nanomaterials in ultrafast photonics are reviewed. First, end‐face, lateral, as well as photonic crystal fibers padding integration methods are introduced along with their process and characteristics. Then the ultrafast applications of nanomaterials including carbon‐based (carbon nanotubes and graphene), typical 2D (topological insulators, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, and MXenes), and metal‐based nanomaterials (gold, silver, copper, and metal oxides) are summarized. Major parameters of ultrafast lasers and features of each nanomaterial are presented simultaneously. Finally, the perspectives of nanomaterials for further development in ultrafast photonics are discussed.

Fabrication and Applications of Heterostructure Materials for Broadband Ultrafast Photonics

“…As promising SAs, nanomaterials possess exceptional optical properties such as remarkable nonlinear absorption, fast recover time, and low cost. [11][12][13][14][15] Moreover, there are also other SAs which have been widely used for pulsed lasers, such as nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) and semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM). However, some drawbacks limit the applications of NPR and SESAM in fiber lasers.…”

Nickel Nanoparticles as Broadband Saturable Absorbers for Ultrafast Photonics

“…Ultrafast lasers have been developed as an influential technology providing desired power and energy in optical communication and ultraprecision machining. , In order to obtain ultrafast lasers, saturable absorbers (SAs) without extra modulator are presented to modulate pulses in the resonator. − Artificial SAs such as nonlinear polarization rotation and nonlinear amplifying loop mirrors were first employed for the generation of ultrafast pulses. , Nowadays, semiconductor SA mirrors have been widely used as typical real SAs in lasers . Nevertheless, the exquisite structure and complicated preparation process limit their further applications.…”

InSb-based saturable absorbers for ultrafast photonic applications

“…An effective way to trigger these pulsed operations is to use nonlinear optical materials with saturable absorption properties, which can switch between different absorption conditions on short timescales and generate pulsed lasers. [3][4][5] In the past decade, the enormous progress of 2D materials has motivated their application in pulsed lasers and in the field of ultrafast optics. [6][7][8][9] Most 2D materials inherently exhibit stronger nonlinear optical responses and light-matter interactions compared to their bulk counterparts, making them widely used in portable photonic applications.…”