Abstract
In this manuscript, the nonlinear absorption properties of Cr2Ge2Te6 and its application in ultra-fast optical modulation are investigated. Typical parameters, namely, nonlinear absorption coefficient (β), saturation intensity, and modulation depth are measured to be ~1.66 × 10−9 m/W, 15.3 MW/cm2, and 5.8%, respectively. To investigate the feasibility of using the Cr2Ge2Te6 as an ultra-fast optical modulator, a ring-cavity passively mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser has been constructed. The output power/pulse, duration/pulse, and repetition rate/signal-to-noise ratios for the stable mode-locked operation are 2.88 mW/881 fs/19.33 MHz/48 dB, respectively, which proves that the Cr2Ge2Te6 has outstanding nonlinear optical properties and advantages in performing as an ultra-fast optical modulator. Further, the experimental results provide valuable references and open new avenues for developing two-dimensional, material-based, ultra-fast optical modulators and advanced photonic devices based on Cr2Ge2Te6.
Highlights
Over the past decade, layered two-dimensional (2D) materials have been used as a significant regime for exploiting potential optical functional devices, such as ultrafast photo-detectors [1], broadband optical modulators, and so forth [2,3,4,5]
Using MoS2 as a broadband modulator for generating an ultra-fast mode-locked laser was first demonstrated by Zhang et al in 2014, which has inspired the investigations on various novel 2D saturable absorber materials due to their obvious advantages [6]
Compared with the conventional optical modulators fabricated via semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs), single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), or quantum dots [7,8], 2D materials have obvious advantages from the aspects of having wide absorption bands, easy and low-cost preparation, ultra-fast ps-level recovery time, high optical damage intensity, and low saturation intensity [4,5,6]
Summary
Over the past decade, layered two-dimensional (2D) materials have been used as a significant regime for exploiting potential optical functional devices, such as ultrafast photo-detectors [1], broadband optical modulators, and so forth [2,3,4,5]. Benefitting from their unique optical properties, wideband optical modulators constructed by novel 2D-materials have significance in promoting the progress of ultra-fast lasers and their widespread related applications. Using MoS2 as a broadband modulator for generating an ultra-fast mode-locked laser was first demonstrated by Zhang et al in 2014, which has inspired the investigations on various novel 2D saturable absorber materials due to their obvious advantages [6]. Compared with the conventional optical modulators fabricated via semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs), single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), or quantum dots [7,8], 2D materials have obvious advantages from the aspects of having wide absorption bands, easy and low-cost preparation, ultra-fast ps-level recovery time, high optical damage intensity, and low saturation intensity [4,5,6]. The exploration of new 2D-materials with excellent nonlinear absorption properties is required for extending the generation scope and diversity of ultra-fast lasers and advanced photonics
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