Low-dimensional van der Waals materials for linear-polarization-sensitive photodetection: materials, polarizing strategies and applications

Abstract

Detecting light from a wealth of physical degrees of freedom (e.g., wavelength, intensity, polarization state, phase, etc.) enables the acquirement of more comprehensive information. In the past two decades, low-dimensional van der Waals materials (vdWMs) have established themselves as transformative building blocks toward lensless polarization optoelectronics, which is highly beneficial for optoelectronic system miniaturization. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the recent development of low-dimensional vdWM polarized photodetectors. To begin with, the exploitation of pristine 1D/2D vdWMs with immanent in-plane anisotropy and related heterostructures for filterless polarization-sensitive photodetectors is introduced. Then, we have systematically epitomized the various strategies to induce polarization photosensitivity and enhance the degree of anisotropy for low-dimensional vdWM photodetectors, including quantum tailoring, construction of core-shell structures, rolling engineering, ferroelectric regulation, strain engineering, etc., with emphasis on the fundamental physical principles. Following that, the ingenious optoelectronic applications based on the low-dimensional vdWM polarized photodetectors, including multiplexing optical communications and enhanced-contrast imaging, have been presented. In the end, the current challenges along with the future prospects of this burgeoning research field have been underscored. On the whole, the review depicts a fascinating landscape for the next-generation high-integration multifunctional optoelectronic systems.

Ideal Photodetector Based on WS2/CuInP2S6 Heterostructure by Combining Band Engineering and Ferroelectric Modulation

“…In comparison to their bulky counterparts, two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as versatile platforms for constructing high-performance photodetectors due to their intriguing physics. − Particularly, the naturally passivated surfaces of 2D materials facilitate the stacking of different 2D materials to create van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures with diverse functionalities. These vdW heterostructures combine the unique characteristics of each constituent, making them ideal for engineering novel photodetectors. − To date, several photodetectors with high responsivity, detectivity, or fast response time have been developed using 2D vdW heterostructures, including InSe/GaSe, MoS 2 /SnSe 2 , WSe 2 /Bi 2 O 2 Se, and PtS 2 /WSe 2 .…”

Symmetry-Reduction Enhanced Polarization-Sensitive Photoresponse Based on One-Dimensional van der Waals Materials

“…4 The unique anisotropic crystal structure of 1D vdW materials ensures the attainment of the superior polarization-sensitive performance due to the emerged anisotropic chemical and physical properties arising from their strong quantum confinement effect and striking anisotropic phonon vibration, photon absorption, and electric band structures. 9,10 Moreover, the distinct 1D structure significantly reduces the lattice symmetry, which also carries great promising for the anisotropic technological applications. 8 Furthermore, the anisotropy could be further enhanced through the possible symmetry-reduction arising from the partial occupation sites in 1D vdW materials.…”

“…Among them, a powerful way to enhance the anisotropic photonic effect is through the adoption of low-dimensional materials, in particular, for the one-dimensional (1D) van der Waals (vdW) materials, such as HfS 3 , Nb 2 Pd 3 Se 8 , and Ta 2 Ni 3 Se 8 . The unique anisotropic crystal structure of 1D vdW materials ensures the attainment of the superior polarization-sensitive performance due to the emerged anisotropic chemical and physical properties arising from their strong quantum confinement effect and striking anisotropic phonon vibration, photon absorption, and electric band structures. , Moreover, the distinct 1D structure significantly reduces the lattice symmetry, which also carries great promising for the anisotropic technological applications . Furthermore, the anisotropy could be further enhanced through the possible symmetry-reduction arising from the partial occupation sites in 1D vdW materials. ,, Therefore, the design of the functional 1D vdW ushers in a promising opportunity for developing high-performance polarization-sensitive photodetectors by designing 1D vdW photodetectors, which has remained a formidable challenge.…”

1D Sb2S3 with Strong Mie Resonance Toward Highly‐Sensitive Polarization‐Discriminating Photodetection and Its Application in High‐Temperature‐Proof Imaging and Dual‐Channel Communications

“…Van der Waals (vdW) materials refer to the materials composed of fundamental components combined by weak vdW forces. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Compared with the extensively explored traditional semiconductors (e.g., Si, InP, GaN, etc.) combined by strong covalent/ionic bonds in all crystallographic directions, the peculiar self-passivated surface of vdW materials enables them to be flexibly downscaled to atomic-scale dimension without compromising the integrity of their surface crystal structure.…”