Review on wavelength-tunable pulsed fiber lasers based on 2D materials

Wavelength-tunable pulsed fiber lasers have many potential applications in sensing, communications, spectroscopy, and medicine. Pulsed fiber lasers based on two-dimensional (2D) materials are easier and simpler to integrate into the laser cavity than those based on traditional mode-locked techniques such as nonlinear polarization rotation and semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. In this review, we discuss the principles and report on the current progress of wavelength-tunable pulsed fiber lasers based on graphene, graphene oxide (GO), topological insulators (TIs), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and black phosphorus (BP). Then, we discuss the mechanisms to achieve wavelength-tunable pulsed operation. Finally, an outlook about the development of tunable pulsed fiber lasers is presented in the perspectives.