Efficient and enhanced optical switches based on saturation absorption via composite of 2D materials

Abstract

In this study, linear and nonlinear optical absorption has been investigated in a composite consisting of thin film wrapped nano-sphere dielectrics. This type of plasmonic coupled hybridized nano-elements can lay the groundwork for many functional devices. The graphene-based coupled plasmonic structure could benefit from superior plasmons and new coupled plasmon modes. By taking advantage of theoretical concepts based on quasi-static approximation and experimental data, it is shown that achieving high modulation depth (∼94%) is possible. Apart from the high modulation depth, saturation intensity, linear and nonlinear absorption can be controlled through adjusting optical and geometrical parameters of the composite. This model proves excellent saturable absorber characteristics particularly its outstanding nonlinear optical properties, which show outstanding potential in manufacturing high-performance and new functional optoelectronic devices.