Synthesis of ultrathin topological insulator Bi2Te3 nanosheets as an optical media for the generation of ring-shaped beams

Abstract Topological insulators are a new class of quantum matter which have a bulk band gap like ordinary insulators but a protected conducting state on their edge or surface. These unique properties render topological insulators ultra-broadband optical response and potential applications in the photonic devices. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate that topological insulator Bi 2 Te 3 can be used as an optical media for the generation of ring-shaped beams. Ultrathin Bi 2 Te 3 nanosheets with uniformly hexagonal morphology have been successfully synthesized by solvothermal method. These Bi 2 Te 3 nanosheets are 500–800 nm in edge width and 10–20 nm in thickness. Subsequently, we adopted Bi 2 Te 3 as an optical media to generate the ring-shaped beams. In summary, our work provides an application of Bi 2 Te 3 as a kind of interesting optical materials for laser beam shaping.