Nonlinear Absorption and Refraction Properties of V₄C₃ MXene and its Use for an Ultra‐Broadband Saturable Absorber

Abstract

Large optical nonlinearity at short‐wavelength‐infrared (SWIR) has enabled 2D MXene to be used explosively in ultrafast nonlinear photonics and optoelectronics. Despite the high technological interest in V4C3 MXene in electrochemistry, investigations from a nonlinear photonics perspective have yet to be conducted. Here, the nonlinear optical characteristics of V4C3 MXene at SWIR wavelengths are systemically investigated. First, Z‐scan measurements are performed and the saturated absorption and self‐defocusing properties of V4C3 MXene at both wavelengths of 1560 and 1910 nm are observed. Density functional theory calculation shows metallic characteristics of V4C3 MXene. Based on the saturable absorption properties of V4C3 MXene, a single saturable absorber (SA) operating at both wavelengths of 1560 and 1910 nm is experimentally implemented. Stable mode‐locked pulses of 638 fs pulse duration at 1559.9 nm are produced instantaneously from an erbium‐doped fiber ring cavity using SA. The same SA generates 1.08 ps mode‐locked pulses at 1911.9 nm from the thulium holmium co‐doped fiber ring cavity. This indicates that the operating bandwidth of this realized V4C3 MXene‐based SA could be at least 350 nm. This work strongly suggests that V4C3 MXene can serve as an ultra‐broadband and high‐performance nonlinear optical material platform in the SWIR regions.

Third-order optical nonlinearities of Nb4C3 MXene and its application as an ultra-broadband mode-locker

“…Based on their robust chemical, electronic, and nonlinear optical properties, MXenes have been widely utilized in electrochemistry and optoelectronics. 38,39 To date, enormous efforts have been paid to exploit MXene in nonlinear photonics for SAs at short-wave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths, including Ti 3 C 2 T x , 40 Ti 3 CNT x , 41 V 2 C, 42 V 4 C 3 , 43 Mo 2 C, 44 Ta 4 C 3 , 45 and Nb 2 C. 46 Nb 4 C 3 is part of the MXene family, which was first fabricated from the Nb 4 AlC 3 MAX phase by Gogotsi et al in 2013. 47 Nb 4 C 3 started to be utilized in electrochemistry after Zhao et al reported a higher capacity of Nb 4 C 3 compared with that of titanium carbide MXene.…”

Two-Dimensional Nb4AlC3 (MAX) and Nb4C3 (MXene): Excellent Optical Limiting Materials with Oppositely Applicated Waveband

“…The discovery of MXenes has reignited interest in the investigation of MAX phases. The number of known MAX phases to date exceeds 70, and nearly 100 MXene materials can be obtained by varying the composition or ratio of the M and X layer elements. − MAX phases and MXenes with different structures and properties open the door for applications in various fields. − …”

Investigations of the nonlinear optical properties of ZrGeTe4 nanosheets and their application in ultrafast photonics

“…However, compared with unitary and binary system 2D materials, ternary system materials have received increasing attention due to the advantages of containing a large number of compounds and tunable physical properties through stoichiometry variations. 33,34…”