2D Layered Materials: Synthesis, Nonlinear Optical Properties, and Device Applications

In recent years, 2D layered materials, including graphene, topological insulators, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, MXenes, graphitic carbon nitride, and metal-organic frameworks, have attracted considerable interest due to their potential applications in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, and energy. Their rise in the field of nonlinear photonics began around 2009 and has become an important research direction. Here, the synthesis techniques, nonlinear optical properties, integration strategies, and device applications of layered materials are reviewed. In terms of nonlinear optical properties, the focus is on saturable absorption and Kerr nonlinearity. On this basis, their applications in various pulsed lasers, including fiber lasers, solid-state lasers, waveguide lasers, and related nonlinear optical phenomenon, are summarized. In addition, novel optical devices using layered materials, such as optical modulators, optical polarizers, optical switchers, and even all-optical device, are also involved. It is believed that the development of 2D layered materials in the field of photonics will continue to deepen, thus laying a good foundation for its practical application.