“ZnS, an excellent material in photonics” - A review based on Z-scan study

Interest in the nonlinear optical properties of ZnS and the effects of alloying ZnS with other elements have been slowly increasing. Unlike ZnO, where tremendous work has been done, ZnS with similar properties is shadowed despite its prominent optical properties. Over the decade, ZnS has been successfully prepared using many techniques in its various forms such as nanoparticles, quantum dots, and thin films. Also, composite materials of ZnS have been developed to light on the enhancement in its properties. The possibility of tuning the properties of ZnS for the enhancement of nonlinear optical properties has been discussed by many reports. The suitability of ZnS for photonic device applications has been reviewed here using the Z-scan technique. Various methods of preparation, requirements, nonlinear behavior of various forms of ZnS in the past decade have been discussed in the present review article.