Optical modulators based on 2D materials

Abstract Optical modulators are widely used in a wide range of applications such as optical communication, interconnection, and sensing. The unique physical properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials enable great potential to significantly boost their modulation performance in nearly all the modulation schemes, including all-optical modulation, thermo-optical modulation, and electro-optical modulation. In this chapter, we will first give a brief introduction of the optical modulator as well as some key parameters to evaluate the performance of the modulators. Afterward, we will introduce the latest progress of the optical modulators based on 2D materials. According to the physical principle of modulation, modulators based on 2D materials will be mainly discussed in three parts, including all-optical modulators, thermo-optical modulators, and electro-optical modulators. Modulators based on other operation principles will also be briefly covered.