Issue 12, 2023

Quantum-sized topological insulators/semimetals enable ultrahigh and broadband saturable absorption

Abstract

Two-dimensional topological insulators/semimetals have recently attracted much attention. However, quantum-sized topological insulators/semimetals with intrinsic characteristics have never been reported before. Herein, we report the high-yield production of topological insulator (i.e., Bi2Se3 and Sb2Te3) and semimetal (i.e., TiS2) quantum sheets (QSs) with monolayer structures and sub-4 nm lateral sizes. Both linear and nonlinear optical performances of the QSs are investigated. The QS dispersions present remarkable photoluminescence with excitation wavelength-, concentration-, and solvent-dependence. The solution-processed QSs-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) hybrid thin films demonstrate exceptional nonlinear saturation absorption (NSA). Particularly, Bi2Se3 QSs-PMMA enables record-high NSA performance with a broadband feature. Specifically, the (absolute) modulation depths up to 71.6 and 72.4% and saturation intensities down to 1.52 and 0.49 MW cm−2 are achieved at 532 and 800 nm, respectively. Such a phenomenal NSA performance would greatly facilitate their applications in mode-locked lasers and related fields.

Graphical abstract: Quantum-sized topological insulators/semimetals enable ultrahigh and broadband saturable absorption

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
10 jul 2023
Accepted
01 set 2023
First published
01 set 2023

Nanoscale Horiz., 2023,8, 1686-1694

Quantum-sized topological insulators/semimetals enable ultrahigh and broadband saturable absorption

Z. Chen, X. Sui, Z. Li, Y. Li, X. Liu and Y. Zhang, Nanoscale Horiz., 2023, 8, 1686 DOI: 10.1039/D3NH00282A

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