Nonlinear Optical Transmission of Nanographene and Its Composites

Abstract

Low-cost broad-band optical limiters based on nanographene have been studied, finding optical-limiting properties superior to those of current standards, carbon fullerenes (C60) solutions and carbon black suspensions. Further examination indicates that the presence of π conjugation improves the optical-limiting responses. Superior limiting performance is retained regardless of solvent viscosity and polarity, a unique feature of graphene not observed in C60 and carbon black. Graphene suspensions in organic solvents can work under 10 Hz laser pulses without losing excellent limiting performance. More significantly, outstanding limiting properties are also preserved in a gel matrix. These nanographene-based optical limiters can thus work in solutions and solid matrixes for devices used for protecting human eyes and optical sensors from high-power lasers.