W_xNb_(1-x)Se₂ nanosheets for ultrafast photonics

Ternary transition metal chalcogenides (TTMDCs), a novel type of two-dimensional (2D) three-element materials, possess multiple physical and chemical properties and have promising potentials in basic physics and devices. Herein, the usage of W_xNb_(1-x)Se₂ nanosheets as a rising ultrafast photonic device to generate high power mode-locked and Q-switched pulses in a fiber laser is demonstrated. The W_xNb_(1-x)Se₂ nanosheets were successfully prepared by the liquid exfoliation method with thickness less than 3 nm. The nonlinear optical absorption of the W_xNb_(1-x)Se₂-based device was investigated with the saturable intensity of 40.93 MW cm^-2 and modulation depth of 5.43%. After integrating the W_xNb_(1-x)Se₂-based device into an Er-doped fiber (EDF) laser cavity, mode-locking and Q-switching laser pulses were formed. In the mode-locked mechanism output, the pulse width is as narrow as 131 fs and the output power is 52.93 mW. In Q-switched operation, the shortest pulse duration is 1.47 μs with the largest pulse energy of 257 nJ. Compared to recent studies, our results showed some improvements. This study suggests that 2D TTMDC-based devices could be developed as efficient ultrafast photonics candidates and widely used in nonlinear optical applications.