Recent Progress in the Development of Graphene Detector for Terahertz Detection

Abstract

Terahertz waves are expected to be used in next-generation communications, detection, and other fields due to their unique characteristics. As a basic part of the terahertz application system, the terahertz detector plays a key role in terahertz technology. Due to the two-dimensional structure, graphene has unique characteristics features, such as exceptionally high electron mobility, zero band-gap, and frequency-independent spectral absorption, particularly in the terahertz region, making it a suitable material for terahertz detectors. In this review, the recent progress of graphene terahertz detectors related to photovoltaic effect (PV), photothermoelectric effect (PTE), bolometric effect, and plasma wave resonance are introduced and discussed.

Photoresponse enhancement in a cavity–antenna-coupled graphene terahertz detector

“…The room temperature photoresponse of this device is attributed to a combination of photo-thermoelectric (PTE) and bolometric effects. 9,[32][33][34] The zero-bias photoresponse in Fig. 1(e) mainly originates from PTE rectification, and the asymmetry between the two graphene-metal contacts is unintentionally created during the mechanical exfoliation and transfer.…”

“…How to efficiently convert the incoming THz power into an electrical signal becomes an essential problem. Over the past decade, the discovery of graphene has boosted the development of optoelectronic devices, including THz detectors, [7][8][9] due to the unique optoelectronic properties of graphene, such as high mobility, broadband absorption, low specific heat of electrons, and good compatibility with CMOS technology. [10][11][12][13] However, limited by the atomic-scale thickness and the small active area of a graphene flake, graphene-based THz detectors always suffer from insufficient THz wave coupling.…”

Sensitive Room-Temperature Graphene Photothermoelectric Terahertz Detector Based on Asymmetric Antenna Coupling Structure

“…Photothermoelectric (PTE) detectors are a kind of optical-thermal detector based on the PTE effect. Unlike photoconductive and photovoltaic detectors whose spectral response range is limited by the active semiconductor bandgap used in the detector, PTE detectors are known for their ultra-wideband response operation at room temperature and zero driven bias [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. In addition, the PTE detectors have the advantages of low noise, no cooling unit, no external power supply, DC/AC dual-mode operation, and the ability of detecting infrared and terahertz radiations.…”

Room‐Temperature Self‐Powered Terahertz Photodetection in Ge‐Intercalated Topological Insulator GeBi4Te7

“…[1,2] Thus, the demand for novel terahertz (THz) detectors featuring high performance and fast response has received unprecedented research interest. [3,4] Over the past few decades, tremendous efforts develop new material systems with specific properties to achieve desirable properties and functions that help improve device performance. Traditional semiconductors Si, Ge, as well as III-V compound semiconductors (GaAs, GaN, and InP) have produced highly integrated and scalable photodetectors in the infrared-toterahertz region.…”