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  • Review Article
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Optical modulators with 2D layered materials

Nature Photonics volume 10, pages 227–238 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Light modulation is an essential operation in photonics and optoelectronics. With existing and emerging technologies increasingly demanding compact, efficient, fast and broadband optical modulators, high-performance light modulation solutions are becoming indispensable. The recent realization that 2D layered materials could modulate light with superior performance has prompted intense research and significant advances, paving the way for realistic applications. In this Review, we cover the state of the art of optical modulators based on 2D materials, including graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides and black phosphorus. We discuss recent advances employing hybrid structures, such as 2D heterostructures, plasmonic structures, and silicon and fibre integrated structures. We also take a look at the future perspectives and discuss the potential of yet relatively unexplored mechanisms, such as magneto-optic and acousto-optic modulation.

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Figure 1: Electronic structure of different 2D layered materials.
Figure 2: Two-dimensional material-based all-optical modulators.
Figure 3: Two-dimensional materials and their heterostructure-based electro-optic modulators for silicon photonics.
Figure 4: Two-dimensional material-based electro-optic modulators at the terahertz, mid-infrared and microwave range.
Figure 5: Two-dimensional material-based thermo-optic and magneto-optic modulators.

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Acknowledgements

Z.S. acknowledges funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (REA grant agreement No. 631610), the Academy of Finland (No.:276376, 284548), TEKES (OPEC), Teknologiateollisuus TT-100, Nokia foundation and Aalto University. A.M. acknowledges support from the H2020 Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship scheme. F.W. acknowledges funding from the United States National Science Foundation (EFMA-1542741).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Micro- and Nanosciences, Aalto University, Tietotie 3, Espoo, FI-00076, Finland

    Zhipei Sun

  2. Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK

    Amos Martinez

  3. Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, 94720, California, USA

    Feng Wang

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Z.S. led the project. All authors made significant contributions to the preparation of this manuscript.

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Sun, Z., Martinez, A. & Wang, F. Optical modulators with 2D layered materials. Nature Photon 10, 227–238 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2016.15

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