Saturable Absorption Properties Research Articles

Cr2AlB2/PbS heterostructure as saturable absorber for ultrashort pulse generation

Rapid progress has been realized in the nonlinear optical device applications of 2D materials. 2D materials are attractive due to their characteristics optical nonlinearities and distinctive light-matter interactions, which assure them promising nonlinear optical devices for ultrashort pulses generating. Cr2AlB2, a member of the new series of 2D materials known as MBenes, has been predicted to have potential saturable absorption properties. In this study, the saturable absorption properties of Cr2AlB2 and Cr2AlB2/PbS vdW heterostructure SAs are investigated. In comparison with Cr2AlB2, the Cr2AlB2/PbS vdW heterostructure exhibits better saturable absorption. The enhancements of nonlinear optical properties can be attributed to the carrier migration between heterostructure. The simulation results based on the Ginzburg-Landu equation are employed to predict the laser performances of Cr2AlB2 and Cr2AlB2/PbS heterostructure SA. By incorporating SAs in the cavity, highly stable conventional solitons were observed. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that Cr2AlB2/PbS vdW heterostructure has superior pulse performance compared to the Cr2AlB2 SA. These results demonstrate that Cr2AlB2/PbS vdW heterostructure processes better saturable absorption properties and serves as a promising SA in ultrashort pulse generation.

Ternary ReS2(1-x)Se2xalloys of different composition for Q-switched and mode-locked all-fiber laser.

This paper systematically studied the composition-controlled nonlinear optical properties and pulse modulation of ternary ReS2(1-x)Se2xalloys for the first time. The compositionally modulated characteristics of ReS2(1-x)Se2xon the band gap were simulated based on the first principles. We investigated the effect of the band gap on the saturable absorption properties. In addition, we demonstrated the modulation characteristics of different components ReS2(1-x)Se2xon 1.5 μm Q-switched pulse performance. The Q-switched threshold, repetition rate, and pulse duration increase as the S(sulfur)-element composition rise. And pulse energy also was affected by the S(sulfur)-element composition. The ReS0.8Se1.2SA was selected to realize a conventional soliton with high energy in the all-fiber mode-locked laser. The pulse was centered at 1562.9 nm with a pulse duration of 2.26 ps, a repetition rate of 3.88 MHz, and maximum pulse energy of 1.95 nJ. This work suggests that ReS2(1-x)Se2xhas great potential in laser technology and nonlinear optics, and widely extends the material applications in ultrafast photonics.&#xD.

Metallic layered VSe2 saturable absorber based single- and dual-wavelength ultrafast fiber laser

Vanadium selenide (VSe2) is a special two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) material with metallic properties similar to graphene, which has been proved to have saturable absorption properties and used in mode-locked fiber lasers. As an excellent saturable absorber (SA) material, VSe2 has advantage of ultrafast carrier recovery time and broadband optical response range. However, the potential application of VSe2 in the field of ultrafast photonics has not been fully developed so far. In this work, the as-prepared VSe2 nanosheets were deposited on tapered fiber by optical deposition to obtain VSe2 SA. By inserting VSe2 SA into an Er-doped fiber laser, the mode-locked pulses with a central wavelength of 1574.4 nm can be obtained. The pulse width of the laser is measured to be ∼680 fs which is narrowest in the reported VSe2 SA-based lasers. In addition, the unique dual-wavelength mode-locked pulse is also obtained by further adjusting intracavity dispersion and polarization. This kind of dual-wavelength pulse is valuable in high order harmonic generation enhancement, terahertz wave generation, dense wavelength division multiplexing, dual-frequency comb and other applications. Our results show that metallic VSe2 is of great potential value in ultrafast fiber laser.

Passively harmonic mode-locked erbium-doped fiber lasers based on PbSnS2 saturable absorbers

The two-dimensional (2D) material PbSnS2, a type of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD), is a highly anisotropic layered compound with potential applications in ultrafast optics. We prepared PbSnS2 nanosheets by liquid phase exfoliation, attached them to microfibers to fabricate saturable absorbers (SAs) by optical deposition method, and successfully applied them to a passive erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL). In addition, the saturable absorption properties of PbSnS2-based SA were confirmed using a balanced two-detector measurement system. The results demonstrate that the PbSnS2-based SA can realize different stable mode-locked states in the same EDFL cavity, including fundamental frequency conventional soliton and 15th harmonic mode-locked states. Among them, the laser produced fundamental frequency mode-locked state with a signal-to-noise ratio of 59.51 dB (6.58 MHz repetition frequency). The HML pulse with a maximum repetition frequency of 98.71 MHz (corresponding to the 15th harmonic) was obtained. The results demonstrate that PbSnS2 is a candidate material for generating ultrafast pulses and has excellent potential for application in ultrafast lasers.

Enhancement of Broadband Reverse Saturable Absorption of Red/Black Phosphorus Heterojunction.

Although laser technology brings convenience to production and daily life, it also causes high-energy damage. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop optical limiting materials for laser protection. In this study, a novel nonlinear optical material, red/black phosphorus lateral heterojunction, is successfully prepared through solvothermal and ultrasonic treatment. Using the Z-scan method, the nonlinear optical properties of the red/black phosphorus heterojunction are determined at wavelengths of 532 and 1064 nm. These results indicate that the red/black phosphorus heterojunction exhibits reverse saturable absorption properties in 1.2.3-glycerol. Interestingly, the red/black phosphorus heterojunction shows an enhanced performance over red phosphorus by introducing the black phosphorus phase. Moreover, the red/black phosphorus heterojunction is doped into organically modified silicate gel glass with excellent broadband optical limiting performance. This study highlights the promising prospect of the red/black phosphorus heterojunction in the nonlinear optical and optical limiting fields.

Saturable absorption properties and ultrafast photonics applications of HfS3.

In this Letter, we focus on investigating the ultrafast photonics applications of two-layer HfS3 nanosheets. We prepared two-layer HfS3 nanosheets and carried out experiments to study their nonlinear saturable absorption properties. The results showed that the two-layer HfS3-based saturable absorber exhibited a modulation depth of 16.8%. Additionally, we conducted theoretical calculations using first principles to estimate the structural and electronic band properties of the two-layer HfS3 material. Furthermore, we utilized the two-layer HfS3 materials as SAs in an erbium-doped fiber cavity to generate mode-locked laser pulses. We measured a repetition frequency of 8.74 MHz, a pulse duration of 540 fs, and a signal-to-noise ratio of 77 dB. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the two-layer HfS3 material can serve as a reliable saturable absorber, possessing properties comparable to currently used two-dimensional materials. This expands the application fields of HfS3 materials and highlights their potential for advanced optoelectronic devices.

Mo4/3B2T2/TiO2 vdW heterostructure as saturable absorber for ultrafast pulse generation

Van der Waals heterostructure have garnered significant interest in ultrafast laser generation because of their attractive saturable absorption properties, holding promise for application in optics, medicine, and optoelectronics. In this study, the saturable absorption properties of TiO2, Mo4/3B2T2, and Mo4/3B2T2/TiO2 vdW heterostructure SAs are investigated. The integration of the SAs into the cavity reveals the observation of fundamentally conventional solitons. The output characteristics of conventional solitons based on three SAs are recorded. These results suggest that the saturable absorption of Mo4/3B2T2/TiO2 vdW heterostructure is enhanced obviously compared with that of Mo4/3B2T2 and TiO2. Furthermore, 2nd-, 4th-, and 5th-order harmonic solitons are achieved, corresponding to the repetition rate of 20.36 MHz, 42.71 MHz, and 53.39 MHz, respectively. We established a model in order to understand the saturable absorption properties of the Mo4/3B2T2/TiO2, which suggests the enhancements of the saturable absorption are attributed to the carrier migration between Mo4/3B2T2 and TiO2. Our results indicate that Mo4/3B2T2/TiO2 vdW heterostructure can be used as an excellent nonlinear optical material, which can be used as an SA in ultrafast pulse generation.

Carbon nanodots derived from organo-templated zeolites for femtosecond mode-locked fiber laser

Carbon nanodots (CNDs) have been widely investigated due to their physicochemical and optical properties. However, the nonlinear saturable absorption property and its application in laser technology is rarely reported. Here, we report the CNDs as an ideal saturable absorber (SA) for ultra-stable femtosecond mode-locked fiber laser at a wavelength of 1.5 μm. The mono-sized CNDs of 2 nm are fabricated from a dipropylamine-templated zeolite precursor calcination with a temperature of 380 °C. The nonlinear saturable absorption property of the as-synthesized CNDs is investigated by using a balanced twin-detector measurement system. The modulation depth and saturable intensity are measured to be 33 % and 3.1 MW/cm2, respectively. By inputting the CNDs SA into the erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) ring cavity, a highly stable mode-locked EDFL with pulse width of 388 fs and single-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 84.4 dB can be obtained. In addition, stable soliton pairs with single-pulse width of 422 fs and SNR of 84.1 dB can also be achieved. These findings demonstrate that the carbon dots can be used as an ideal SA and has promising applications in ultrafast photonics.

Enhancing saturable absorption in a Au-decorated MoS2/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite through plasmon resonance and Pauli blocking.

We have effectively demonstrated a technique for substantial alteration of the nonlinear saturable absorption (SA) properties in nanocomposite films (NCF) composed of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This control is achieved by adjusting the AuNP concentration on the MoS2 surface and varying the input pulse energy of the laser. The simple drop-casting method is used to create the nanocomposite films (NCFs) on a glass substrate with different amounts of Au-decorated MoS2. The Kramers-Kronig equations are employed for determining the refractive index and extinction coefficient values of the resulting NCFs. Nonlinear investigations reveal that adding Au-decorated MoS2 to pure PEDOT:PSS alters its optical nonlinearity. Surface plasmon resonance and Pauli blocking have been observed in Au-decorated MoS2/PEDOT:PSS NCFs. This increases NCF's saturable absorption. An open aperture Z-scan method is utilized to study nonlinear optics, with excitation achieved using a nanosecond (ns) pulsed laser operating at a 532 nm wavelength. The findings reveal the noteworthy saturable absorption characteristics of the NCFs.

Enhanced Interband Transition in FeCoNiAlTi High‐Entropy Alloy for Ultrafast Nonlinear Optical Applications

AbstractHigh‐entropy alloys (HEAs) possess superior mechanical, thermal, and electronic properties, which attract great interest in the fields of photothermal, electrocatalysis, and magnetic applications. Herein, the nonlinear optical properties of FeCoNiAlTi HEA with a large specific surface area for the first time is investigated. Owing to the strong d–d interaction, the interband transition near the Fermi level could be enhanced in HEAs, leading to broadband optical absorption. Excitation with the picosecond laser source, the FeCoNiAlTi HEA possesses saturable absorption with a large modulation depth of 7.61% and 30.47% at 1 and 1.5 µm, respectively. Furthermore, at the higher excitation level at 1.5 µm, the saturable absorber exhibits a typical reverse saturable absorption property. Subsequently, the FeCoNiAlTi HEA on the tapered fiber first serves as the saturable absorber in the Yb‐doped fiber laser and the Er‐doped fiber laser, leading to the noise‐like pulses at 1 µm, and the stable Q‐switching, conventional soliton, and dissipative soliton resonance mode‐locking operations at 1.5 µm. This work confirms that the enhanced saturable absorption in HEAs can endow the high‐performance ultrashort pulse generation.

120 nm wide band tunable pulsed laser generation employing vanadium carbide MXene/polyvinyl alcohol (V2C-PVA) film

MXene, a group of 2D materials, has garnered significant attention from researchers due to its impressive characteristics, such as large surface area, high metallic conductivity, and strong nonlinear saturable absorption. These properties make MXene an excellent material for exploring new possibilities in ultrafast photonics technology. The present study has demonstrated that vanadium carbide (V2C) MXene can function as a saturable absorber (SA) and effectively generate Q-switching pulses in the 1.9 μm wavelength region. The molten salt synthesis method was used to synthesize V2C MXene, which involved the selective etching of aluminum (Al) layers from the V2AlC MAX Phase precursor. The V2C MXene was transformed into a thin film by mixing it with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) using a solution casting technique. The resulting V2C-PVA film was found to have saturable absorption properties, with a modulation depth of 8% and saturation intensity of 1.6 MW cm −2. Upon integrating the V2C-PVA film into the Thulium/Holmium-doped fiber laser (THDFL) cavity, stable Q-switching pulses were realized at a central wavelength of 1896.9 nm with 13.9 nm of 3-dB spectral bandwidth. At the maximum pump power of 448.7 mW, the 2.2 μs of pulse duration, 58.26 kHz of repetition rate, and 31 nJ of pulse energy were achieved. By adjusting the tunable bandpass filter (TBPF) integrated within the THDFL cavity, the system has a tunable spectral range of approximately 120.75 nm, from 1889.75 nm to 2010.5 nm. The exceptional performance of V2C-based SA for Q-switching operation showcases the immense potential of other MXene materials in the future of photonics applications.

Carbon nanomaterials as nonlinear optical modulators for pulsed laser generation at near-infrared region

In this study, carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) were experimentally investigated as novel saturable absorbers (SAs) capable of delivering strong ultrashort pulses in a passively Q-switched fiber laser. Carbon nanoparticles produced by candle burning and laser ablation can act as saturable absorbers (SAs). In addition, the nonlinear saturable absorption properties of the two synthetic CNPs in telecommunication region (1.5 μm) are investigated. Nonlinear optical measurements show that both SAs have good saturable absorption properties with average modulation depths of about ∼1 and 5 % at 1560 nm. These candle soot carbon nanoparticles (CSC-np) and laser ablation carbon nanoparticles (LAC-np) based SAs, can be used as a building blocker for the generating of stable Q-switched pulses in the near-infrared region. The shortest pulse duration measured with CSC-np and LAC-np are 5.62 and 3.87 μm, respectively. The pulse energy, peak power and SNR were also compared with both SA types at the highest pump power. The damage threshold and long-term stability of the CSC-cn SA and LAC-np were also explored. To the best of the author's knowledge, it is the first comparison of performance and long-term stability of EDFL based on two experimental techniques CSC-np and LAC-np based SAs. These results indicate that LAC-np SA provide have several advantages, including a high damage threshold, good saturable absorption, and optimum stability over a long time compared to CSC-np SA.

Role of Pauli blocking for enhancement of saturable absorption in MoS2/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite films

We have effectively shown a technique for significantly altering the nonlinear saturable absorption (SA) properties of nanocomposite films (NCFs) based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) by regulating MoS2 concentration and input pulse energy of the laser. The NCFs are made using the straightforward drop-cast process on a glass substrate with varying quantities of MoS2. The produced NCFs’ refractive index (n) and extinction coefficient (k) values are determined using the Kramers–Kronig equations. Nonlinear studies show that the optical nonlinearity of pure PEDOT:PSS changes when mixed with MoS2. The Pauli blocking has been observed in MoS2/PEDOT:PSS NCFs. This leads to enhanced SA in NCF. The open-aperture Z-scan approach is used for the nonlinear optical research, and a nanosecond pulsed laser with a wavelength of 532 nm is used for the excitation. The findings obtained show the NCFs’ strong SA qualities.

Tin selenide nanosheets as saturable absorber for broadband NIR high repetition rate pulsed lasers

Improving the overall performance of saturable absorbers based on traditional materials is critically important for the application of broadband near-infrared region (NIR) pulsed lasers. Herein, we have successfully produced a controllable ultra-thin tin-selenide nanosheets (SnSe NSs), the saturable absorption properties at region of 1.0 µm and 1.3 µm were characterized with the modulation depth of 26.65 % and 25.16 %, respectively. To our knowledge, this was the first appearance of saturated absorbe (SA) based on the SnSe-NSs in NIR pulsed bulk lasers. High repetition rates of 209 kHz at 1.0 µm and 240.3 kHz at 1.3 µm were achieved, respectively. The experiment indicate that SnSe-NSs can be a fresh way to obtain high repetition rate broadband pulsed lasers.

Preparation of Bi2Te3 Based on Saturable Absorption System and Its Application in Fiber Lasers

Fiber laser is a fundamental component of laser systems and is of great significance for development of laser technology. Its pulse output can be divided into Q-switched and mode-locked. Achieving ultrashort pulse with narrower pulse duration and higher power is the focus of current research on mode-locked lasers. As an important component of fiber laser systems, saturable absorber (SA) can modulate losses in the optical cavity and generate pulses, enabling the laser system to achieve pulse output under long-term normal operating conditions better. Therefore, expanding the selection range of materials with better saturable absorption properties to improve the quality of pulse output is an important topic in current research. Here, the second generation topological insulator Bi2Te3 single crystal is prepared, and a ring fiber laser system is built with the Bi2Te3 SA. The mode-locked pulse with a pulse duration of 288 fs and a signal-to-noise ratio of 80.202 dB is realized. This result verifies that Bi2Te3, as a member of topological insulator, has good saturable absorption characteristics, and has broad prospects for the application research in lasers.

Infrared Saturable Absorption Properties of Tungstenene Nanosheets for Passively Q-Switched 1.9 μm Solid-State Laser

Infrared Saturable Absorption Properties of Tungstenene Nanosheets for Passively Q-Switched 1.9 μm Solid-State Laser

Magnetic Topological Insulator MnBi2Te4 Nanosheets for Femtosecond Pulse Generation.

The van der Waals layered material MnBi2Te4, as a magnetic topological insulator, has attracted tremendous interest for novel physics research in the fields of condensed matter physics and materials science. However, the nonlinear optical properties of MnBi2Te4 and its applications in ultrafast optics have rarely been explored. In this study, high-quality MnBi2Te4 nanosheets have been successfully synthesized by the self-flux method. The morphology, chemical composition, magnetic properties, and nonlinear optical characteristics were systematically investigated. The magnetic transition of MnBi2Te4 was confirmed by a low-temperature spatially resolved spectroscopic technique. The saturable absorption property of MnBi2Te4 was measured by a balanced twin-detector system with a modulation depth of 4.5% and a saturation optical intensity of 2.35 GW/cm2. Furthermore, by inserting the MnBi2Te4-based saturable absorber, a soliton mode-locking laser operating at 1558.8 nm was obtained with a pulse duration of 331 fs. This research will pave the way for applications of the magnetic TI MnBi2Te4 in nonlinear optics and photonics.

Peak-power of 25 W passively Q-switched [formula omitted]2.8 [formula omitted]m Er:YAP bulk laser based on a reflective TaSe2 saturable absorber mirror

Improving the overall performance of saturable absorber mirrors (SAMs) based on Two-dimensional (2D) narrow-band-gap materials is critically important in their applications of mid-infrared pulse laser sources. Herein, a reflective TaSe2 SAM with laser-induced damage threshold of ∼12 MW/cm2 was successfully fabricated, the saturable absorption properties around 2.8 μm were characterized with a modulation depth of 5.3% and a total unsaturated loss of 2.2%. With the as-prepared SAM, high-peak-power passively Q-switched Er:YAP laser operation at ∼2.8 μm was realized. For the condition of the maximum absorbed pump power of 8.0 W, the maximum average output power of 0.7 W was obtained with a pulse width of 264 ns at a repetition rate of 105.5 kHz, which corresponds to a maximum single pulse energy of 6.6 μ J and a peak power of 25.1 W.

Adjusting the nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of MAPbBr3/PMMA by doping with Zn

Third-order nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of MAPbBr3/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) are adjusted by doping with Zn. X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence are performed to confirm the effective doping of Zn. Typical reverse saturable absorption and self-focusing effects are observed in the undoped MAPbBr3/PMMA and Zn-doped MAPbBr3/PMMA. After Zn doping, the nonlinear absorption coefficient becomes larger but nonlinear refraction coefficient becomes smaller. This may be related to the decreased defect states after Zn doping. Besides, both values of the optical limiting threshold and the clamping normalized transmittance for the Zn-doped MAPbBr3/PMMA are obviously smaller than those of the undoped sample, indicating that its optical limiting property enhances. The reverse saturable absorption properties are caused by one photon absorption-induced excited-state absorption processes, which have been explained by using three-energy-level diagrams. The nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of the Zn-doped MAPbBr3/PMMA make it show great potentials for application in optical limiter.

Second harmonic generation and two photon absorption assisted power limiting mechanism of l-Phenylalanine (LPA) - poly-ethylene-oxide (PEO) electrospun nanofibers

Nanofibers consisting of organic nonlinear optical l-Phenylalanine (LPA) nanocrystals embedded in poly-ethylene-oxide (PEO) polymer were synthesized by the electrospinning technique. The preferred crystallographic orientation of the organic molecules that crystallized inside the nanofibers was demonstrated through X-ray diffraction and calculations show that the average crystallite size is around 28 nm. SEM images clearly show the formation of smooth fibers with average diameter of 246 nm. The emission of green light from the nanofiber powder sample approved the second harmonic generation (SHG) under the excitation of Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm). Further the generation of second harmonic from the fibers was confirmed by nonlinear microscope imaging and power dependent SHG studies, performed using femtosecond fiber laser (1040 nm). The nonlinear absorption and its power limiting characteristics of LPA-PEO electro-spun nanofibers were studied utilizing the Z-scan method employing Q switched Nd: YAG laser as an excitation source (532 nm, 5 ns, 10 Hz). Open aperture Z-scan measurement (with intensity 1.23 × 1012 W/m2 and 2.4623 × 1012 W/m2) revealed the reverse saturable absorption property of LPA-PEO nanofibers. The existence of a sequential two-photon absorption process involving real resonant intermediate states has been demonstrated by the intensity dependent two-photon absorption coefficient. The usefulness of LPA optical fibers as power limiters is ensured by their lower optical limiting threshold than other optical limiting materials.