2D Transition Metal Carbides (MXenes) for Third Order Nonlinear Optics: Status and Prospects

Abstract

The family of 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides (MXenes) has attracted an enormous amount of attention due to their tunable optical, electronic, electrochemical, and mechanical properties. Recently, a new branch of MXenes materials research has emerged that is exploring and engineering the intrinsic optical response of MXenes, resulting in compact nonlinear optical (NLO) devices. As a novel 2D materials system, MXenes not only exhibit common advantages of classical 2D materials for NLO applications but also demonstrate their unique superiority, such as high yield and scalable synthesis, good stability, switchable NLO response, etc. Here, a fundamental overview of MXenes nonlinear optics is provided, covering everything from MXenes synthesis to linear and NLO properties and NLO applications. The synthesis method and its influence on the MXenes structures and morphology are discussed, which dominated the linear optics of MXenes. Then, the third‐order NLO properties and carrier dynamics of MXenes, from basic theory to experimental results, are elaborated. Their NLO applications, including ultrashort laser pulse, single‐frequency laser generation, all‐optical phase modulation, wavelength modulation, and passive photonic diodes, are also highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and an outlook for future MXenes NLO research are proposed.

2D Ta4AlC3 and Ta4C3 nanosheets with excellent ultraviolet optical limiting behavior for laser protection

“…23 To date, more than 40 MXenes have been discovered and studied. As a novel 2D layered material, its unique electronic, chemical and optical properties make it potentially valuable for applications in biomedicine, 24 catalysis, 25,26 sensing, 27,28 energy storage, 29,30 nonlinear optics [31][32][33] and other fields. MXenes are obtained by etching layer A from the MAX phase, e.g.…”

Low Threshold and Robust Ultrafast Pulses from Freestanding‐Growth 2D Quaternary BiCuSeO

“…In the past decade, low‐dimensional materials, such as CNTs, graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), black phosphorus (BP), MXenes, and even organic nanomaterials have been widely employed as saturable absorption materials in laser mode‐locking due to their wide band response and ease of van der Waals integration. [ 13–25 ] It is worth noting that the pulse laser performances, including the damage threshold, long‐term stability, and mode‐lock start‐up threshold, are related to the coupling between the fiber optic medium and low‐dimensional materials, which is largely determined by the cleanliness of the interface. [ 14,26–28 ] However, traditional preparation and integration processes, such as solution‐based growth, drop cast, or polymer‐assistant transfer, inevitably introduce chemical residues or defects.…”

Wavelength-tunable mode-locked laser using zinc phosphate as a saturable absorber at 1.9 μm

“…To date, the mode-locked lasers are achieved by using various SAs, including but not limited to semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs), black phosphorus (BP), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), topology insulators (TIs), MXenes and MAX-phases [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. For instance, Wang et al [30] have demonstrated the generation of mode-locked laser and dynamics of soliton at 1.5 μm using a VSe 2 /GO-based saturable absorber.…”