Graphene analogue BCN: Femtosecond nonlinear optical susceptibility and hot carrier dynamics

► First ultrafast laser experiments on newly synthesized material namely BCN (boron-carbon-nitrogen), a graphene analogue, are reported. ► The photoexcited carrier dynamics in graphene and BCN are shown to be different. ► Nonlinear absorption in graphene and BCN are also different; namely saturable absorption in graphene and optical limiting in BCN. ► Third order optical nonlinear coefficients in addition to the ultrafast carrier relaxation times show that BCN can be a potential candidate for ultrafast nonlinear optical applications such as optical limiters and fast optical switches.