Graphene/MoS_2 heterostructure: a robust mid-infrared optical modulator for Er~(3+)-doped ZBLAN fiber laser

We have prepared the graphene∕MoS_2 heterostructure by a hydrothermal method, and presented its nonlinear absorption parameters and application as a nonlinear optical modulator in the mid-infrared region.Using the nonlinear optical modulator, stable passively Q-switched operation of an Er~(3+)-doped ZrF_4-BaF_2-LaF_3-AlF_3-NaF(ZBLAN) fiber laser at ~2.8 μm can be obtained. The Q-switched Er~(3+)-doped ZBLAN fiber laser can yield per-pulse energy up to 2.2 μJ with the corresponding pulse width and pulse repetition rate of 1.9 μs and 45 kHz, respectively. Our results indicate that the graphene∕MoS_2 heterostructure can be a robust optical modulator for pulsed lasers in the mid-infrared spectral range.