Boron quantum dots all-optical modulator based on efficient photothermal effect

摘要

All-optical devices without external electronic components have drawn extraordinary attentions in all-optical communication.In this work,boron quantum dots(BQDs)were synthesized by a facile liquid-phase exfoliation method.The as-prepared BQDs showed good structural homogeneity and crystallinity,broadband optical absorption as well as excellent photothermal properties.Femtosecond-resolved transient absorption further revealed the short carrier relaxation time of BQDs.Inspired by the outstanding photothermal properties and ultrafast carrier dynamic of BQDs,we fabricated BQDsbased all-optical modulator.The phase shift with a slope efficiency of 0.032π/m W and response time of 0.97 ms can be achieved.The modulator was used in laser resonance cavity to achieve all-optical actively Q-switched laser operation with control repetition rate.This prototypical BQDs-based all-optical modulator shows a great potential to be applied in all-optical information processing and communication.