Solution processing of graphene, topological insulators and other 2d crystals for ultrafast photonics

Graphene and other two-dimensional (2d) crystals are promising materials for photonic and optoelectronic applications. A key requirement for these applications is the development of industrial-scale, reliable, inexpensive production processes, while providing a balance between ease of fabrication and final material quality with on-demand properties. Solution-processing offers a simple and cost-effective pathway to fabricate various 2d crystal based photonic devices, presenting huge integration flexibility compared to conventional methods. Here we present an overview of graphene and other 2d crystals based ultrafast photonics, from solution processing of the raw bulk materials, the fabrication of saturable absorbers, to their applications in ultrafast lasers. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America