A review of ultrafast photonics enabled by metal-based nanomaterials: Fabrication, integration, applications and future perspective

Due to their exceptional optical properties, nanomaterials have garnered significant interest and found several domains in the fields of ultrafast photonics, optoelectronics, sensors, and biomedicine. In particular, the nonlinear optical response of metal-based nanomaterials is enhanced by surface plasmon resonance, making these nanomaterials a suitable saturable absorber for generating ultrashort pulses across a broad spectrum of wavelengths. Here, we mainly review the physical and chemical methods employed in the fabrication of metal-based nanomaterials. Subsequently, we explore the integration of these nanoparticles into laser cavities. Then, ultrafast application of metal-based nanomaterials based on Q-switching and mode-locking in a wide range of wavelengths are summarized. Finally, future perspectives regarding the advancement of ultrafast photonics facilitated by metal-based nanomaterials are discussed. The advancement of ultrafast photonics and ongoing research into saturable absorbers enabled by metal-based nanomaterials will pave the way for novel directions in the large-scale manufacturing of new optoelectronic devices.