2D Materials for Photothermoelectric Detectors: Mechanisms, Materials, and Devices

Abstract

Abstract2D materials, with outstanding optical, thermal, and electric properties, are emerging as promising candidates for fabricating high‐performance photodetectors. Recently, impressive progresses have been made in this area and some challenges are remaining to improve the properties of photodetectors. As one important part in the mainstream photodetection mechanisms, photothermoelectric (PTE) effect is showing unique priorities in fabricating advanced photodetectors, especially broadband detection operating in the mid‐infrared and terahertz spectral regime. Here, recent progress on PTE photodetectors based on layered 2D materials is reviewed. The physical mechanism of PTE effect is first discussed and then the optical and thermoelectric properties of various 2D materials are analyzed. Furthermore, strategies to improve the photodetection performance of PTE detectors are summarized in two major categories including enhanced photothermal conversion and thermoelectric conversion processes. Finally, the challenges and prospects for future research in 2D thermoelectric materials and PTE detectors are also provided.

On-chip photodetection of angular momentums of vortex structured light

“…Notably, the performance of the as-proposed detector can be further boosted through improving the coupling efficiency with phase-gradient metasurface 35 , 36 and reduce the propagation loss of surface plasmonic polariton 16 , 37 . On the other hand, the response sensitivity of the as-proposed detector should be further enhanced by improving the heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency and the figure of merit of the thermoelectric materials 38 . In addition, the demonstrated detection mechanism could be extended to other optical detectors in other wavelength regimes with properly designed working mechanism, device configuration, and well-designed plasmonic couplers 39 .…”

High-quality lateral monolayer-multilayer graphene junction formed by selective laser thinning for self-powered photodetection

“…Benefiting from graphene's unique electronic and optical properties, such as ultrahigh carrier mobility and gapless band structure, the graphene photodetectors with photoresponse of high frequency and extremely broadband spectral range have been extensively demonstrated, rendering graphene a promising material for constructing next-generation photodetectors and light harvesting devices [1][2][3][4]. Despite numerous successful demonstrations of graphene based photodetectors, several major challenges still remain in practice.…”