Ti2CTx MXene‐based all‐optical modulator

Abstract

Abstract MXenes, a new class of 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, have attracted much attention due to their outstanding properties. Here, we report the broadband spatial self‐phase modulation of Ti2CT x MXene nanosheets dispersed in deionized water in the visible to near‐infrared regime, highlighting the broadband nonlinear optical (NLO) response of Ti2CT x MXene. Using ultrafast pulsed laser excitation, the nonlinear refractive index n2 and the third‐order nonlinear susceptibility χmonolayer3 of Ti2CT x MXene were measured to be ∼10−13 m2/W and ∼ 10−10 esu, respectively. Leveraging the large optical nonlinearity of Ti2CT x MXene, an all‐optical modulator in the visible regime was fabricated based on the spatial cross‐phase modulation effect. This work suggests that 2D MXenes are ideal broadband NLO materials with excellent prospects in NLO applications.

Keywords

• 2D materials
• all‐optical modulator
• MXene
• spatial cross‐phase modulation
• spatial self‐phase modulation