Ultrafast photonics applications of emerging 2D-Xenes beyond graphene

Abstract

Driven by new two-dimensional materials, great changes and progress have taken place in the field of ultrafast photonics in recent years. Among them, the emerging single element two-dimensional materials (Xenes) have also received much attention due to their special physical and photoelectric properties including tunable broadband nonlinear saturable absorption, ultrafast carrier recovery rate, and ultrashort recovery time. In this review, the preparation methods of Xenes and various integration strategies are detailedly introduced at first. Then, we summarize the outcomes achieved by Xenes-based (beyond graphene) fiber lasers and make classifications based on the characteristics of output pulses according to the materials characterization and nonlinear optical absorption properties. Finally, an outlook of the future opportunities and challenges of ultrafast photonics devices based on Xenes and other 2D materials are highlighted, and we hope this review will promote their extensive applications in ultrafast photonics technology.

Oxygen vacancy engineering of MOF-derived ZnO/Co3O4 nanocomposites for high harmonic mode-locking operation

“…We used the interaction between the evanescent field and the material to generate the mode-locking pulses. 49 A tapered fiber without a saturable absorber was welded into the laser cavity and no matter how the pump power and PC were adjusted, only the continuous light was available. In our case, ZnO/Co 3 O 4 nanocomposites were optically deposited under the same conditions on the tapered fiber with a waist radius of 7.2 mm and a length of 35 mm.…”

InSb-based saturable absorbers for ultrafast photonic applications

“…[15][16][17][18] To date, 2D SA materials include transition metal dichalcogenides, MXenes, single-element 2D materials, topological insulators, perovskites, and other divergent 2D materials. [19][20][21][22][23][24] Remarkable development has been achieved in pulsed lasers with 2D SAs. Using graphene as the SA, 10 GHz laser pulse outputs have been achieved in an ultrafast fiber laser.…”

VTe2: Broadband Saturable Absorber for Passively Q-Switched Lasers in the Near- and Mid-Infrared Regions

“…However, each absorber has its own unique advantages and limitations. Graphene possesses a fast recovery time due to its ultrafast carrier dynamics, making it an attractive option for PQS laser; for instance, graphene-based SAs have been demonstrated for their PQS laser operations from NIR to MIR wavelength ranges. − However, the low modulation depth of graphene has been recognized as a potential constraint. BP demonstrates notable characteristics such as high carrier mobility, adjustable bandgap, and substantial modulation depth, rendering it a highly promising candidate for PQS lasers .…”