The groundbreaking research conducted by Professor Sheng Zhigao and his team at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has shed light on the intriguing relationship between magnetic order and nonlinear optical effects in two-dimensional materials. Their recent study, published in Advanced Optical Materials, unveils the discovery of strong nonlinear magnetic second harmonic generation (MSHG) induced by ferromagnetic order in monolayer CrPS4, marking a significant advance in the field of optoelectronics.
Second harmonic generation (SHG) is a nonlinear optical phenomenon that is sensitive to symmetry breaking in materials. Traditionally, SHG has been observed in crystals with broken symmetry (i type) and, to a lesser extent, in magnetic systems (c type). However, the weak c type SHG in magnetic materials has limited its practical applications in optical devices. The research team’s study focused on investigating the unexplored nonlinear optical properties of two-dimensional van der Waals materials, specifically exploring the connection between SHG and magnetic order in CrPS4.
The researchers made a significant breakthrough by uncovering the unexpected c type SHG effects induced by ferromagnetic order in monolayer CrPS4. Contrary to previous observations in bulk and even-layered CrPS4, where antiferromagnetic order did not generate notable c type SHG effects, the odd-layered CrPS4 exhibited a substantial c type SHG effect under the influence of ferromagnetic order. This novel observation highlights the intricate interplay between magnetic order and nonlinear optical phenomena in two-dimensional materials.
Moreover, the team’s findings revealed that the ferromagnetic order-induced c type SHG in monolayer CrPS4 displayed a signal strength comparable to the conventional i type SHG arising from crystal structural symmetry breaking. This remarkable parity in signal strength between the two types of SHG is a rare phenomenon among known magnetic materials and holds immense potential for advancing the development of optoelectronic devices.
This groundbreaking research not only deepens our understanding of the complex interrelations between magnetic order and nonlinear optical effects but also paves the way for the design and fabrication of novel optoelectronic devices based on two-dimensional magnetic materials. The observed ferromagnetic order-induced c type SHG effect opens up new possibilities for harnessing the unique properties of these materials in future technological applications.
Professor Sheng Zhigao and his team’s study represents a significant advancement in the field of nonlinear optics and magnetic materials, offering valuable insights into the potential of two-dimensional van der Waals materials for revolutionizing optoelectronics. The fascinating link between magnetic order and nonlinear optical effects demonstrated in this research holds promise for exciting developments in the realm of advanced photonics and quantum technologies.
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