Broadband all-light-control with WS₂ coated microfibers.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optoelectronics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• All-optical signal processing offers advantages over electronic methods.
• Tungsten disulfide (WS2) is a promising 2D material for optoelectronic applications.
• Microfiber (MF) structures provide a platform for enhanced light-matter interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate all-optical light amplitude tuning functionality.
• To investigate the performance of WS2 nanosheets coated microfiber (MF) structures.
• To explore potential applications in all-optical controllable devices and sensors.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microfiber coated with layered WS2 nanosheets.
• Characterization of transmitted power variation under external and internal pump light.
• Measurement of response time for the developed device.

Main Results:

• Achieved significant transmitted power variation over a broadband spectrum (~100 nm) due to strong light-matter interactions.
• Obtained a power variation rate of ~0.3744 dB/mW with violet pump light, exceeding the state-of-the-art.
• Demonstrated moderate rise/fall times of ~20.5/19.6 ms, limited by fabrication.

Conclusions:

• The WS2-coated MF device enables all-optical modulation of optical transmitted power.
• The device shows potential for applications in all-optical controllable devices and sensors.
• Further optimization of fabrication methods could improve response times.