Recent progress in ultrafast lasers based on 2D materials as a saturable absorber

TLDR

Two‑dimensional materials, including graphene, topological insulators, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, bismuthene, antimonene, and MXene, possess exceptional optoelectronic and nonlinear optical properties that make them promising saturable absorbers for ultrafast laser applications. This review surveys recent advances and future prospects of ultrafast lasers employing 2D materials as saturable absorbers. The review discusses material characteristics, fabrication techniques, and nonlinear properties of 2D saturable absorbers.

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are crystals with one to a few layers of atoms and are being used in many fields such as optical modulator, photodetector, optical switch, and ultrafast lasers. Their exceptional optoelectronic and nonlinear optical properties make them as a suitable saturable absorber for laser cavities. This review focuses on the recent progress in ultrafast laser use 2D materials as a saturable absorber. 2D materials traditionally include graphene, topological insulators, transition metal dichalcogenides, as well as new materials such as black phosphorus, bismuthene, antimonene, and MXene. Material characteristics, fabrication techniques, and nonlinear properties are also introduced. Finally, future perspectives of ultrafast lasers based on 2D materials are also addressed.