Ultrafast recovery time and broadband saturable absorption properties of black phosphorus suspension

As a new type of two-dimensional crystal material, black phosphorus (BP) exhibits excellent electronics and optical performance. Herein, we focus on carrier relaxation dynamics and nonlinear optical properties of BP suspension. Atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and optical transmission spectrum are employed to characterize the structure and linear optical properties of the BP. Additionally, pump-probe experiments at wavelength of 1550 nm were carried out to study the carrier dynamics in BP suspension, and ultrafast recovery time was observed (tau(s) = 24 +/- 2 fs). Furthermore, we demonstrate the saturable absorption signals by open aperture Z-scan experiments at wavelengths of 1550 nm, 532 nm, and 680 nm. The results indicate that BP has broadband saturable absorption properties and the nonlinear absorption coefficients were determined to be beta(2) = -0.20 +/- 0.08 x 10(-3) cm/GW (532 nm), beta(2) = -0.12 +/- 0.05 x 10(-3) cm/GW (680 nm), and beta(2) = -0.15 +/- 0.09 x 10(-3) cm/GW(1550 nm). (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.