AgScP₂S₆ van der Waals Layered Crystal: A Material with a Unique Combination of Extreme Nonlinear Optical Properties

Abstract

Research in two-dimensional layered materials (2DLMs) has exploded over the past several years for a variety of applications in photonics and optoelectronics. The 2D nature of these materials allows for a very local electronic probe of material as well as flexible integration with other functional components. Herein, using the femtosecond Z-scan technique, we report a giant two photon absorption (TPA) process and its saturation in the van der Waals gapped silver scandium thiophosphate (AgScP2S6) crystal. We have found a TPA coefficient of the order of 104 cm/GW which is orders of magnitude larger compared to many existing semiconductors and nonlinear crystals. Furthermore, we found a TPA cross-section of 103 GM and characterized the optical limiting (OL) response (0.2 mJ/cm2) and the multipulse laser damage threshold (1.09 ± 0.19 J/cm2). The combination of giant TPA, extremely low OL, and very high damage threshold suggests that this material could be extremely useful in applications like optical limiters or switches.

Structural, Magnetic, and Optical Properties of the van der Waals Antiferromagnet AgCrP2Se6

“…This 1D behavior is likely facilitated by the striped cation structure of this particular material (Figure 1). Given that AgCrP 2 Se 6 exhibits a 23,24,26 V 3+ , 27,28 Cr 3+ , 20,29,30 Ga 3+ , 22 In 3+ , 31,32 Er 3+ , 23,24 Tm 3+ , 23,24 and Bi 3+33 radii from Shannon 25 ). The lines serve as guides for the eye.…”

“…(Left) Comparison among different quaternary MTP/MSP structures with different +3 metal cations (Sc 3+ , ,, V 3+ , , Cr 3+ , ,, Ga 3+ , In 3+ , , Er 3+ , , Tm 3+ , , and Bi 3+ radii from Shannon). The lines serve as guides for the eye.…”