Nanosecond-scale all-optical Ti₃C₂T _x -MXene modulator

Abstract Inspired by recent advancements of graphene-based ultrafast photonic devices, Ti3C2T x -MXene, as a graphene-like two-dimensional layer-structure material, has gained extensive interest in nonlinear optical applications, especially in all-optical intensity modulation. Herein, we successfully fabricated an all-optical modulator based on Ti3C2T x -Mxene/polyvinyl-alcohol film with nanosecond-scale response time, modulation speed of 100 kHz, and modulation depth of 10%. Furthermore, the variation of fall edges of modulated signal pulse caused by thermo-optic effect under different pump power was also observed. Considering the ease of fabrication, low cost, and ease of integration, the proposed modulator may open the door for high-speed all-optical communications and signal processing.