Broadband Nonlinear Photonics in Few‐Layer MXene Ti3C2Tx (T = F, O, or OH). Issue 2 (2nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Xiantao; Liu, Shunxiang; Liang, Weiyuan; Luo, Shaojuan; He, Zhiliang; Ge, Yanqi; Wang, Huide; Cao, Rui; Zhang, Feng; Wen, Qiao; Li, Jianqing; Bao, Qiaoliang; Fan, Dianyuan; Zhang, Han
• Is Part Of: Laser & photonics reviews. Volume 12:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-11-02
• Subjects: large Kerr coefficient -- mode‐locked femtosecond lasers -- MXene Ti3C2Tx -- nanomaterials -- nonlinear optical properties; Lasers -- Periodicals; Photonics -- Periodicals; Lasers -- Périodiques; Photonique -- Périodiques; 621.36
• DOI: 10.1002/lpor.201700229
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1863-8880

Abstract

Abstract: Studies of the nonlinear optical phenomena that describe the light‐matter interactions in 2D crystalline materials have promoted a diverse range of photonic applications. MXene, as a recently developed new 2D material, has attracted considerable attention because of its graphene‐like but highly tunable and tailorable electronic/optical properties. In this study, we systematically characterize the nonlinear optical response of MXene Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets over the spectral range of 800 nm to 1800 nm. A large effective nonlinear absorption coefficient (βeff ∼‐10 −21 m 2 /V 2 ) due to saturable absorption is observed for all of the testing wavelengths. The contribution of saturable absorption is two orders of magnitude higher than other lossy nonlinear absorption processes, and the amplitude of βeff strongly depends on the light bleaching level. A negative nonlinear refractive index (n2 ∼‐10 −20 m 2 /W) with value comparable to that of the intensively studied graphene was demonstrated for the first time. These results demonstrate the efficient broadband light signal manipulating capabilities of Ti3 C2 Tx, which is only one member of the large MXene family. The capability of an efficient broadband optical switch is strongly confirmed using Ti3 C2 Tx as saturable absorbers for mode‐locking operation at 1066 nm and 1555 nm, respectively. A highly stable femtosecond laser with pulse duration as short as 159 fs in the telecommunication window is readily obtained. Considering the diversity of the MXene family, this study may open a new avenue to advanced photonic devices. Abstract : Broadband nonlinear optical responses in few‐layer MXene Ti3 C2 Tx with values comparable to graphene were systematically investigated. Considering the chemical composition richness of MXene, highly tailorable and efficient optical manipulating is suggested for diverse photonics applications. Compact femtosecond fiber laser in the telecommunication window is demonstrated using Ti3 C2 Tx as a fast saturable absorber.