Optical limiting properties and mechanisms of single-layer graphene dispersions in heavy-atom solvents

The optical limiting (OL) properties of single-layer graphene dispersions in different solvents were studied using a nanosecond pulse laser. The graphene dispersions, especially in heavy-atom solvents, showed much better OL properties compared with referenced C₆₀-toluene solution. The dependences of OL thresholds and nonlinear scattering (NLS) intensities on the solvent surface tensions indicated that, NLS effect played an important role in the OL process of graphene dispersions, while nonlinear absorption (NLA) effect might also contribute in solvents with heavy atoms. The NLA measurements further demonstrated the contribution of NLA effect to the excellent OL property of graphene dispersions in heavy-atom solvents.