Magnetic field controls a third-order nonlinear optical property and laser-induced electron coherence in 2D materials

The first controlled SSPM

Spatial self‑phase modulation (SSPM) has been extensively investigated in 2D quantum materials, enabling demonstrations of numerous photonics devices. Among these, all‑optical switches with “weak‑light‑control‑strong‑light” functionality constitute a landmark advance and have drawn substantial research interest. Nevertheless, all observed SSPM effects to date remain intrinsic to the host materials. “To date, no viable approach has been reported to actively tune or enhance this effect,” states Prof. Jimin Zhao, whose group first discovered SSPM in 2D materials and set the world record for the largest third‑order nonlinear optical coefficient χ ⁽³⁾ using graphene‑based SSPM fifteen years ago. “Now, for the first time, SSPM is tuned by an external magnetic field instead of being only measured,” Zhao adds.

Magnetic-field-controlled and -enhanced SSPM

By applying an external magnetic field to dispersions of 2D flakes, the team has demonstrated the first magnetic‑field‑tunable SSPM, in which χ ⁽³⁾ can be either enhanced or suppressed on demand. For ferromagnetic VSe ₂ , χ ⁽³⁾ increases by 58%, reaching 1.44×10 ^{- 4} e.s.u. at 1000 mT; for diamagnetic graphene, it is enhanced by 32% to a record value of 2.0×10 ^-7 e.s.u. at 600 mT, surpassing the 15‑year‑old world record. Under the applied magnetic field, the optical response becomes anisotropic: χ ⁽³⁾ exhibits a dependence on laser polarization. The magnetic field also induces optical birefringence. This anisotropy renders laser polarization an additional, independent tuning knob.

Mechanism: Magnetic-field-driven collective flake alignment

Magnetic‑field‑tunable SSPM arises from collective field‑induced orientational ordering of suspended nanoflakes. Upon application of a magnetic field, ferromagnetic VSe ₂ nanoflakes orient their c ‑axes parallel to the applied field, whereas diamagnetic graphene nanoflakes align their basal planes along the field. This collective orientational ordering modulates the orientation‑averaged intrinsic anisotropic nonlinearity of the nanoflakes, rendering the magnetic field a macroscopic tunable handle for light‑matter interactions.

Magnetic- f ield-controlled all-optical switch

Building upon this tunability, the team has demonstrated the first magnetic‑field‑tunable all‑optical switch based on SSPM in VSe ₂ . The signal‑to‑control intensity ratio, which quantifies the “weak‑light‑control‑strong‑light” functionality, is enhanced by up to 340 %. Even moderate magnetic fields below 0.3 T yield a 100 % enhancement, indicating that conventional permanent magnets are sufficient for practical device implementation. These results open a promising route toward next‑generation all‑optical switches and photonic devices.

“This work establishes a new paradigm for quantum material nonlinear photonics: rather than only passively probing the intrinsic nonlinear optical responses of quantum materials, we achieve active, external magnetic-field modulation of such optical properties,” commented Yixuan Huang, the first author of this study. “Our magnetic-field-controlled all-optical switch and record-high nonlinearity pave a viable pathway toward the development of high-performance functional photonic devices.”

National Science Review

10.1093/nsr/nwag594

Experimental study