Synthesis of ultrathin topological insulator Bi2Te3 nanosheets as an optical media for the generation of ring-shaped beams

Abstract

Topological insulators are a new class of quantum matter which have a bulk band gap like ordinary insulators but a protected conducting state on their edge or surface. These unique properties render topological insulators ultra-broadband optical response and potential applications in the photonic devices. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate that topological insulator Bi2Te3 can be used as an optical media for the generation of ring-shaped beams. Ultrathin Bi2Te3 nanosheets with uniformly hexagonal morphology have been successfully synthesized by solvothermal method. These Bi2Te3 nanosheets are 500–800nm in edge width and 10–20nm in thickness. Subsequently, we adopted Bi2Te3 as an optical media to generate the ring-shaped beams. In summary, our work provides an application of Bi2Te3 as a kind of interesting optical materials for laser beam shaping.