Developing efficient methods for boosting light–matter interactions is critical to improve the functionalities of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides toward next-generation optoelectronic devices. Here, we demonstrate that the light–matter interactions in tungsten disulfide (WS₂) monolayer can be significantly enhanced by introducing an air-stable functional substrate (fused silica with embedded plasmonic Ag nanoparticles). Distinctive from conventional strategies, the Ag nanoparticles are embedded under the surface of fused silica via ion implantation, forming a functional substrate for WS₂ monolayer with remarkably environmental stability. A tenfold photoluminescence enhancement in WS₂ monolayer has been achieved due to the plasmonic effect of Ag nanoparticles. This work offers a strategy to fabricate the plasmon-2D hybrid system at low cost and large scale and paves the way for their applications in optoelectronics and photonics.

Low-dimensional (LD) materials, such as 2D materials, carbon nanotubes, and nanoparticles, have attracted increasing attention for light modulation in photonics and optoelectronics. The high nonlinearity, broad bandwidth, and fast response enabled by LD materials are critical to realize desired functionalities in highly integrated photonic systems. Driven by the growing demand for compact laser sources, LD materials have recently demonstrated their great capacity as saturable absorbers in pulsed (Q-switched or mode-locked) laser generation in waveguide platforms. We review the recent advances of pulsed waveguide lasers based on LD materials. A perspective is also presented in this rapidly growing research field.

We report the elongation of embedded Au nanoparticles (NPs) in three different matrices, i.e. amorphous carbon (a-C), crystalline indium tin oxide (In _x Sn _1-x O _z ; ITO) and crystalline calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), under irradiations of 4 MeV C ₆₀ ⁺ cluster ions and 200 MeV Xe ¹⁴⁺ ions. Under 4 MeV C ₆₀ cluster irradiation, strong sputtering is induced in CaF ₂ layer so that the whole the layer was completely lost at a fluence of 5 × 10 ¹³ ions cm ⁻² . Au NPs were partly observed in the SiO ₂ , probably due to the recoil implantation. Amorphous carbon (a-C) layer exhibits low sputtering loss even under 4 MeV C ₆₀ irradiation. However, the elongation in a-C layer was low. While the ITO layer showed a certain decrease in thickness under 4 MeV C ₆₀ irradiation, large elongation of Au NPs was observed under both 4 MeV C ₆₀ and 200 MeV Xe irradiation. The ITO layer preserved the crystallinity even after large elongation was induced. This is the first report of the elongation of metal NPs in a crystalline matrix.