Two-photon absorption and subband photodetection in monolayer MoS2

Unlocking Giant Third-Order Optical Nonlinearity in (MA)2CuX4 through Introducing Jahn-Teller Distortion

Nonlinear absorption coefficient and modulation depth stand as pivotal properties of nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, while the existing NLO materials exhibit limitations such as low nonlinear absorption coefficients and/or small modulation depths, thereby severely impeding their practical application. Here we unveil that introducing Jahn-Teller distortion in a Mott-Hubbard system, (MA)2CuX4 (MA=methylammonium; X=Cl, Br) affords the simultaneous attainment of a giant nonlinear absorption coefficient and substantial modulation depth. The optimized compound, (MA)2CuCl4, demonstrates a nonlinear absorption coefficient of (1.5±0.08)×105 cm GW-1, a modulation depth of 60 %, and a relatively low optical limiting threshold of 1.22×10-5 J cm-2. These outstanding attributes surpass those of most reported NLO materials. Our investigation reveals that a more pronounced distortion of the [CuX6]4- octahedron emerges as a crucial factor in augmenting optical nonlinearity. Mechanism study involving structural and spectral characterization along with theoretical calculations indicates a correlation between the compelling performance and the Mott-Hubbard band structure of the materials, coupled with the Jahn-Teller distortion-induced d-d transition. This study not only introduces a promising category of high-performance NLO materials but also provides novel insights into enhancing the performance of such materials.

Infrared photodetectors based on wide bandgap two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides via efficient two-photon absorption

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted considerable attention due to their outstanding optoelectronic properties and ease of integration, making them ideal candidates for high-performance photodetectors. However, the excessive width of the bandgap in some 2D TMDs presents a challenge for achieving infrared photodetection. One approach to broaden the photoresponse wavelength range of TMDs is through the utilization of two-photon absorption (TPA) process. Unfortunately, the inefficiency of TPA hinders its application in infrared photodetection. In this study, we propose the design of two photodetectors utilizing high TPA coefficient materials, specifically ReSe2and MoS2, to exploit their TPA capability and extend the photoresponse to the near-infrared region at 1550 nm. The ReSe2photodetector demonstrates an unprecedented responsivity of 43μA W-1, surpassing that of current single-material TPA photodetectors. Similarly, the MoS2photodetector achieves a responsivity of 18μA W-1, comparable to state-of-the-art TPA photodetectors. This research establishes the potential of high TPA coefficient 2D TMDs for infrared photodetection.

Enhancing saturable absorption in a Au-decorated MoS2/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite through plasmon resonance and Pauli blocking

We have effectively demonstrated a technique for substantial alteration of the nonlinear saturable absorption (SA) properties in nanocomposite films (NCF) composed of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This control is achieved by adjusting the AuNP concentration on the MoS2 surface and varying the input pulse energy of the laser. The simple drop-casting method is used to create the nanocomposite films (NCFs) on a glass substrate with different amounts of Au-decorated MoS2. The Kramers-Kronig equations are employed for determining the refractive index and extinction coefficient values of the resulting NCFs. Nonlinear investigations reveal that adding Au-decorated MoS2 to pure PEDOT:PSS alters its optical nonlinearity. Surface plasmon resonance and Pauli blocking have been observed in Au-decorated MoS2/PEDOT:PSS NCFs. This increases NCF's saturable absorption. An open aperture Z-scan method is utilized to study nonlinear optics, with excitation achieved using a nanosecond (ns) pulsed laser operating at a 532 nm wavelength. The findings reveal the noteworthy saturable absorption characteristics of the NCFs.

2D Material Infrared Photonics and Plasmonics

Two-dimensional (2D) materials including graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, MXenes, and semimetals have attracted extensive and widespread interest over the past years for their many intriguing properties and phenomena, underlying physics, and great potential for applications. The vast library of 2D materials and their heterostructures provides a diverse range of electrical, photonic, mechanical, and chemical properties with boundless opportunities for photonics and plasmonic devices. The infrared (IR) regime, with wavelengths across 0.78 μm to 1000 μm, has particular technological significance in industrial, military, commercial, and medical settings while facing challenges especially in the limit of materials. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the varied approaches taken to leverage the properties of the 2D materials for IR applications in photodetection and sensing, light emission and modulation, surface plasmon and phonon polaritons, non-linear optics, and Smith-Purcell radiation, among others. The strategies examined include the growth and processing of 2D materials, the use of various 2D materials like semiconductors, semimetals, Weyl-semimetals and 2D heterostructures or mixed-dimensional hybrid structures, and the engineering of light-matter interactions through nanophotonics, metasurfaces, and 2D polaritons. Finally, we give an outlook on the challenges in realizing high-performance and ambient-stable devices and the prospects for future research and large-scale commercial applications.

Efficient Avalanche Photodiodes with a WSe2/MoS2 Heterostructure via Two-Photon Absorption

Two-dimensional (2D) materials-based photodetectors in the infrared range hold the key to enabling a wide range of optoelectronics applications including infrared imaging and optical communications. While there exist 2D materials with a narrow bandgap sensitive to infrared photons, a two-photon absorption (TPA) process can also enable infrared photodetection in well-established 2D materials with large bandgaps such as WSe₂ and MoS₂. However, most of the TPA photodetectors suffer from low responsivity, preventing this method from being widely adopted for infrared photodetection. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate 2D materials-based TPA avalanche photodiodes achieving an ultrahigh responsivity. The WSe₂/MoS₂ heterostructure absorbs infrared photons with an energy smaller than the material bandgaps via a low-efficiency TPA process. The significant avalanche effect with a gain of ∼1300 improves the responsivity, resulting in the record-high responsivity of 88 μA/W. We believe that this work paves the way toward building practical and high-efficiency 2D materials-based infrared photodetectors.

Ultrafast laser ablation, intrinsic threshold, and nanopatterning of monolayer molybdenum disulfide

Laser direct writing is an attractive method for patterning 2D materials without contamination. Literature shows that the ultrafast ablation threshold of graphene across substrates varies by an order of magnitude. Some attribute it to the thermal coupling to the substrates, but it remains by and large an open question. For the first time the effect of substrates on the femtosecond ablation of 2D materials is studied using MoS₂ as an example. We show unambiguously that femtosecond ablation of MoS₂ is an adiabatic process with negligible heat transfer to the substrates. The observed threshold variation is due to the etalon effect which was not identified before for the laser ablation of 2D materials. Subsequently, an intrinsic ablation threshold is proposed as a true threshold parameter for 2D materials. Additionally, we demonstrate for the first time femtosecond laser patterning of monolayer MoS₂ with sub-micron resolution and mm/s speed. Moreover, engineered substrates are shown to enhance the ablation efficiency, enabling patterning with low-power ultrafast oscillators. Finally, a zero-thickness approximation is introduced to predict the field enhancement with simple analytical expressions. Our work clarifies the role of substrates on ablation and firmly establishes ultrafast laser ablation as a viable route to pattern 2D materials.

Plasmon-exciton interaction strongly increases the efficiency of a quantum dot-based near-infrared photodetector operating in the two-photon absorption mode under normal conditions

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are known for their high two-photon absorption (TPA) capacity. This allows them to efficiently absorb infrared photons with energies lower than the bandgap energy. Moreover, TPA in QDs can be further enhanced by the interaction of excitons of the QDs with plasmons of a metal nanoparticle. We fabricated nonlinear plasmon-exciton photodetectors based on QDs and silver nanoplates (SNPs) to demonstrate the optoelectronic application of these effects. A thin layer of CdSe QDs was used as a source of charge carriers for a photoresistor-type photodetector. SNPs with near-infrared plasmon modes were introduced into the layer of QDs to increase the light absorption efficiency. Under near-infrared irradiation, the power of the dependence of the photocurrent on the excitation intensity was twice the power of the corresponding dependence under one-photon excitation with visible light. This proved that the new photodetector efficiently operated under two-photon excitation. Although the SNP light absorption was linear, energy was transferred from plasmons to excitons in the two-quantum mode, which led to a nonlinear dependence. Moreover, we found that the photocurrent from the designed photodetector containing the QD-SNP composite was an order of magnitude higher than that from a photodetector containing QDs alone. This can be explained by the plasmon-induced increase in the TPA efficiency.

Upconversion Photovoltaic Effect of WS2/2D Perovskite Heterostructures by Two-Photon Absorption

Photovoltaic devices work by converting sunlight energy into electric energy. The efficiency of current photovoltaic devices, however, is significantly limited by the transmission loss of photons with energies below the bandgap of channel semiconductors, which can be circumvented by photon energy upconversion. Energy upconversion has been widely employed to improve the efficiency of traditional solar cells. However, the employment of energy upconversion in two-dimensional (2D) heterostructure photovoltaic devices has not been investigated yet. Here, we report the upconversion photovoltaic effect of WS₂ monolayer/(C₆H₅C₂H₄NH₃)₂PbI₄ (PEPI) 2D perovskite heterostructures by below-bandgap two-photon absorption via a virtual intermediate state. An open circuit voltage of 0.37 V and short circuit current of 7.4 pA are obtained with a photoresponsivity of 771 pA/W and current on/off ratio of 130:1. This work demonstrates that upconversion by two-photon absorption may potentially be a strategy for boosting the efficiency of 2D material-based photovoltaic devices by virtue of the absorption of photons below the bandgap energy of channel semiconductors.

Photoluminescence upconversion of 2D materials and applications

Photoluminescence (PL) upconversion is a phenomenon involving light-matter interactions, where the energy of emitted photons is higher than that of the incident photons. PL upconversion is an intriguing process in two-dimensional materials and specifically designed 2D heterostructures, which have potential upconversion applications in optoelectronic devices, bioimaging, and semiconductor cooling. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in photoluminescence upconversion in two-dimensional materials and their heterostructures. We discuss the upconversion mechanisms, applications, and future outlook of upconversion in two-dimensional materials.

Giant and Broadband Multiphoton Absorption Nonlinearities of a 2D Organometallic Perovskite Ferroelectric

Multiphoton absorption (MPA) has been utilized for important technological applications. High-order multiphoton harvesting (e.g., five-photon absorption, 5PA) exhibits unique properties that could benefit biophotonics. Within this field, perovskite oxide ferroelectrics (e.g., BaTiO₃ ) enable low-order optical nonlinearities of 2PA/3PA processes. However, it is challenging to obtain efficient, high-order 5PA effects. Herein, for the first time, giant and broadband MPA properties are presented in the 2D hybrid perovskite ferroelectric (IA)₂ (MA)₂ Pb₃ Br₁₀ (1; IA = isoamylammonium and MA = methylammonium), where multiphoton-excited optical nonlinearities related to different MPA mechanisms over a broadband range of 550-2400 nm are observed. Strikingly, its 5PA absorption cross-section (σ₅ ) reaches up to 1.2 × 10^-132 cm¹⁰ s⁴ photon^-4 (at 2400 nm), almost 10 orders larger than some state-of-the-art organic molecules and a record-high value among all known ferroelectrics. This unprecedented 5PA effect results from the quantum-confined motif of inorganic trilayer sheets (wells) and organic cations (barriers) in 1. Moreover, its large ferroelectric polarization of 5 µC cm^-2 could promote modulation of MPA effects under external electric fields. As far as it is known, this is the first report on giant, broadband high-order MPA properties in ferroelectrics, which provides potential, novel electric-ordered materials for next-generation biophotonic applications.

2D Perovskites with Giant Excitonic Optical Nonlinearities for High-Performance Sub-Bandgap Photodetection

Two-dimensional (2D) perovskites have proved to be promising semiconductors for photovoltaics, photonics, and optoelectronics. Here, a strategy is presented toward the realization of highly efficient, sub-bandgap photodetection by employing excitonic effects in 2D Ruddlesden-Popper-type halide perovskites (RPPs). On near resonance with 2D excitons, layered RPPs exhibit degenerate two-photon absorption (D-2PA) coefficients as giant as 0.2-0.64 cm MW^{- 1} . 2D RPP-based sub-bandgap photodetectors show excellent detection performance in the near-infrared (NIR): a two-photon-generated current responsivity up to 1.2 × 10⁴ cm² W^-2 s^-1 , two orders of magnitude greater than InAsSbP-pin photodiodes; and a dark current as low as 2 pA at room temperature. More intriguingly, layered-RPP detectors are highly sensitive to the light polarization of incoming photons, showing a considerable anisotropy in their D-2PA coefficients (β_[001] /β_[011] = 2.4, 70% larger than the ratios reported for zinc-blende semiconductors). By controlling the thickness of the inorganic quantum well, it is found that layered RPPs of (C₄ H₉ NH₃ )₂ (CH₃ NH₃ )Pb₂ I₇ can be utilized for three-photon photodetection in the NIR region.

Beam Steering with a Nonlinear Optical Phased Array Antenna

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) exhibit high second harmonic (SH) generation in the visible due to their noncentrosymmetric crystal structure in odd-layered form and direct bandgap transition when thinned down to a monolayer. In order to emit the SH radiation into a desired direction, one requires a means to control the phase of the in-plane nonlinear polarization. Here, we couple the SH response of a monolayer MoS₂ to an optical phased array antenna and demonstrate controllable steering of the nonlinear emission. By exploiting the intrinsic SH generation by the phased array antenna we achieve uniform emission efficiency into a broad angular range. Our work has relevance for novel optoelectronic applications, such as programmable optical interconnects and on-chip LIDAR.

Highly tunable nonlinear response of Au@WS2 hybrids with plasmon resonance and anti-Stokes effect

We synthesize Au@WS2 hybrid nanobelts and investigate their third-order nonlinear responses mediated by a strong anti-Stokes effect. By using the femtosecond Z-scan technique and tuning the excitation photon energy (Eexc), we find the sign reversals of both nonlinear absorption coefficient β and nonlinear refractive index γ to be around 1.60 eV, which is prominently higher than the bandgap (1.35 eV) of WS2 bulk owing to the strong anti-Stokes processes around the bandgap of the indirect semiconductors. The saturable absorption and self-defocusing of the WS2 nanobelts are significantly enhanced by the plasmon resonance of the Au nanoparticles when Eexc > 1.60 eV. But the excited state absorption assisted by the anti-Stokes processes and the self-focusing observed at Eexc < 1.60 eV are suppressed by the surface plasmon. Furthermore, by using population rate equations, we theoretically analyze the sign reversals of both β and γ and reveal the physical mechanism of the unique nonlinear responses of the hybrids with the plasmon resonance and anti-Stokes effect. These observations enrich the understanding of the nonlinear processes and interactions between the plasmon and exciton and are helpful for developing nonlinear optical nanodevices.

Layered Hybrid Perovskites for Highly Efficient Three-Photon Absorbers: Theory and Experimental Observation

Multiphoton absorption may find many technological applications, such as enhancing the conversion efficiency of solar cells by the utilization of sub-band-energy photons, below-bandgap photodetection through the simultaneous absorption of several infrared photons for photocurrent generation, or light frequency upconversion for high-resolution, 3D imaging. To enhance multiphoton absorption in semiconducting materials, one of the strategies is to explore low-dimensional excitons. Here, a quantum perturbation theory on a giant enhancement in three-photon absorption (3PA) arising from 2D excitons in multilayered crystals of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites is presented. The maximal 3PA coefficient is predicted to be in the range of 2-7 cm3 GW-2 at 1100 nm, the largest values reported so far for any 2D and bulk semiconductors at room temperature. Excellent agreement between theory and the experimental findings unambiguously demonstrates a pivotal role in the enhancement of 3PA played by 2D excitons. The theory predicts that the resonant 3PA coefficient should be enhanced further by at least two orders of magnitude with very low temperature. The findings are essential for understanding giant 3PA arising from 2D excitons in layered hybrid perovskites and may open new pathways for highly efficient conversion from infrared light energy to either electrical energy or higher-frequency light emission/lasing.

Two-photon absorption arises from two-dimensional excitons

By applying quantum perturbation theory to two-dimensional excitons in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), we develop a theoretical model for two-photon absorption in the near infrared spectral region. By assuming the bandwidth of the final excitonic state to be 0.15 eV, the two-photon absorption coefficients are as high as 50 cm/MW and selenium-based, monolayer TMDCs exhibit greater 2PA coefficients than sulfur-based, monolayer TMDCs. Our model is also compared to the experimental data obtained by Z-scans or nonlinear transmission measurements.