Novel layered 2D materials for ultrafast photonics

A range of new 2D materials have recently been reported, including topological insulators, transition-metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, MXenes, and metal-organic frameworks, which have demonstrated high optical nonlinearity and Pauli blocking for widespread use as saturable absorbers in pulsed lasers. 2D materials are emerging as a promising platform for ultrashort-pulse fiber laser technology. This review presents a catalog of the various pulsed laser applications based on the series of emerging 2D materials. In addition, novel optical devices using layered materials, such as optical modulators, optical switches, and all-optical devices, are also included. It is anticipated that the development of 2D materials will intensify in the future, providing potentially new and wide-ranging efficacy for 2D materials in ultrafast photonic technology.