Nonlinear Optical Absorption Properties of Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Advances and Challenges

In the past two decades, there has been a growing interest in studying the nonlinear optical absorption properties of nanostructures (0D, 1D, 2D) due to their unique optical characteristics and potential applications in saturable absorbers and optical limiters. Extensive research has been conducted on various nanomaterials to meet the requirements of optoelectronic devices. These materials include graphdiyne, transition metal dichalcogenides, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), perovskites, black phosphorus (BP), and hybrid nanostructures incorporating 0D, 1D, or 2D materials.

Significant progress has been made in using low-dimensional materials for optical devices such as saturable absorbers, optical switches, and optical limiters. However, there are limitations in the current performance of these materials. For example, single-layer graphene has a weak nonlinear optical response, black phosphorus lacks stability, topological insulators have low saturation intensity, and transition metal sulfides have long exciton decay times.

Researchers are continuously working to discover low-dimensional materials that exhibit strong and rapid nonlinear optical response, adjustable optical absorption, fast recovery time, high optical and thermal damage thresholds, as well as excellent chemical and mechanical stability.