Infrared Photodetectors Based on 2D Materials and Nanophotonics

Abstract

2D materials, such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, and tellurium, have been demonstrated to be promising building blocks for the fabrication of next-generation high-performance infrared (IR) photodetectors with diverse device architectures and impressive device performance. Integrating IR photodetectors with nanophotonic structures, such as surface plasmon structures, optical waveguides, and optical cavities, has proven to be a promising strategy to maximize the light absorption of 2D absorbers, thus enhancing the detector performance. In this review, the state-of-the-art progress of IR photodetectors is comprehensively summarized based on 2D materials and nanophotonic structures. First, the advantages of using 2D materials for IR photodetectors are discussed. Following that, 2D material-based IR detectors are classified based on their composition, and their detection mechanisms, key figures-of-merit, and the principle of absorption enhancement are discussed using nanophotonic approaches. Then, recent advances in 2D material-based IR photodetectors are reviewed, categorized by device architecture, i.e., photoconductors, van der Waals heterojunctions, and hybrid systems consisting of 2D materials and nanophotonic structures. The review is concluded by providing perspectives on the challenges and future directions of this field.

Energy Interplay in Materials: Unlocking Next‐Generation Synchronous Multisource Energy Conversion with Layered 2D Crystals

“…Layered 2D crystals exploiting the photovoltaic effect [44] are emerging as excellent candidates for both solar cells, and as photodetectors down to the near-infrared region. [45] Photovoltaic P → E energy conversion can be enhanced in 2D semiconductor crystals compared to bulk semiconductors due to their unique properties. First, 2D crystals can easily form material junctions by layering 2D crystals on bulk materials or by layering different 2D crystals.…”

“…Layered 2D crystals exploiting the photovoltaic effect [ 44 ] are emerging as excellent candidates for both solar cells, and as photodetectors down to the near‐infrared region. [ 45 ]…”

Progress on two-dimensional binary oxide materials

“…Compared with graphene photodetectors, [200][201][202] photodetectors made of ultra-thin layered materials have a higher light response and spectral selectivity. 61,203,204 ZnO is a metal oxide semiconductor with great research value. 205,206 Compared with other competitive materials, ZnO has a larger exciton binding energy (60 meV) than GaN (26 meV).…”

“…Compared with graphene photodetectors, 200–202 photodetectors made of ultra-thin layered materials have a higher light response and spectral selectivity. 61,203,204…”

Epitaxial Growth of 2D Ternary Copper–Indium–Selenide Nanoflakes for High‐Performance Near‐Infrared Photodetectors

“…[1][2][3][4] These merits lead 2D materials to be expected to replace traditional photodetectors with the drawbacks of fragile quality, limited pixel size, and low-temperature operation in infrared region. [5][6][7] 2D layered materials have demonstrated attractive photoelectric properties, such as broadband detection, high photoresponsivity, high external quantum efficiency (EQE), high specific detectivity, and fast photoresponse, and thus could be promising candidates for future photodetectors in flexible electronics, biological imaging, and environmental monitoring. [8][9][10][11] However, the efficiency of photon trapping in 2D materials is relatively low.…”