Few-layer TaSe2 as a saturable absorber for passively Q-switched erbium-doped fiber lasers

TaSe2 nanosheets are prepared by means of ultrasound-assisted liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) and the nonlinear saturable absorption properties are experimentally investigated. The TaSe2-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film is then manufactured and a TaSe2-based saturable absorber (SA) is fabricated for demonstrating a Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) for the first time. Taking advantage of the saturable absorption properties of the TaSe2-based SA, the obtained shortest Q-switched pulse duration is 1.53 mu s with a pulse energy of 65.5 nJ. The results indicate that TaSe2 is a competent candidate for use as SA in promoting stable and flexible ultrafast lasers. The work may pave the way to researches and applications for photonics in the mid-infrared band. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

TaSe2 nanosheets were prepared using ultrasound-assisted liquid phase exfoliation, and a TaSe2-based saturable absorber was fabricated for demonstrating a Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser. The results show that TaSe2 is a competitive candidate for promoting stable and flexible ultrafast lasers, paving the way for photonics research and applications in the mid-infrared band.