A Self-Powered Photovoltaic Photodetector Based on a Lateral WSe2-WSe2 Homojunction

2D Programmable Photodetectors Based on WSe2/h-BN/Graphene Heterojunctions

Programmable photovoltaic photodetectors based on 2D materials can modulate optical and electronic signals in parallel, making them particularly well-suited for optoelectronic hybrid dual-channel communication. This work presents a programmable non-volatile bipolar semi-floating gate photovoltaic photodetector (SFG-PD) constructed using tungsten diselenide (WSe2), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and graphene (Gra). By controlling the voltage pulses applied to the control gate, the device generates opposing built-in electric field junctions (p+-p and n-p junctions), enabling reversible switching between positive and negative light responses with a rapid response time of up to 2.02 µs. Moreover, the application of this device is demonstrated in dual-channel optoelectronic hybrid communication, offering a practical solution for achieving high-speed, large-capacity, low-loss, and secure multi-channel communication.

Self-Powered Broadband UV-NIR Polarization-Sensitive Photodetector Based on Unipolar van der Waals Heterostructure

van der Waals heterostructures (vdWH) composed of two-dimensional (2D) materials have demonstrated significant potential in new-generation multifunctional photodetectors. Herein, we demonstrate a self-powered broadband polarization-sensitive photodetector with high efficiency and ultrafast response speed based on 2D MoS2/Ta2NiSe5 vdWH, which is due to the unilateral depletion region formed at the n-n junction. Under 638 nm laser illumination, the as-fabricated 2D MoS2/Ta2NiSe5 vdWH photodetector exhibits remarkable photoresponse, including high responsivity (R) of 1382 A/W, large specific detectivity (D*) of 6.59 × 1013 cm Hz1/2 W-1, and impressive external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 2.7 × 105 %, together with ultrafast response time of ∼3 μs. Additionally, the device shows prominent photovoltaic effects with a short-circuit current of 27.4 nA, an open-circuit voltage of 0.28 V, and a maximum output electrical power (Pel) of 1.85 nW, respectively, as well as remarkable self-powered photodetection performance. Interestingly, the device showcases a broadband photoresponse ranging from UV-NIR both under biased and unbiased conditions. Notably, the device also exhibits a robust polarization ratio (PR) of up to 2.89. This study highlights the potential applications of self-powered, broadband, and polarization-sensitive photodetectors based on unipolar vdWH.

Polarization-Sensitive and Self-Driven Photodetector Based on 2D PdSe2/InSe Asymmetric van der Waals Heterojunction with Vertical Transportation Channel

Polarized photodetectors are promising in civil and military fields. Limited response range and low integration level are critical challenges which can be solved by the introduction of a 2D asymmetric vertical heterojunction. Vertical structure design has the advantages of higher integration level and shorter channel length. In this work, a PdSe2/InSe vertical heterojunction is constructed with an asymmetric structure and a short vertical transportation channel for polarization-sensitive and self-driven photodetection. The device exhibits excellent photoresponse characteristics, including a wide spectral range spanning from 405 to 980 nm, a high responsivity of 296 mA/W, and a specific detectivity of 1.97 × 1011 Jones. It also demonstrates excellent photovoltaic performance with a notable open-circuit voltage reaching 480.6 mV and exhibits remarkable polarization sensitivity. Finally, the device is integrated into a polarized light imaging system successfully. This finding underscores the critical role of the PdSe2/InSe heterojunction in advancing compact, high-performance, broadband, and self-driven polarized photodetectors.

Strain-Modulated Dominant Response Band of Self-Powered Photodetector Based on WSe2 Lateral PN Homojunction

Flexible devices based on 2D materials have shown promising application capacity in next-generation optoelectronics. The lack of inversion centrosymmetry renders odd-layered 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) to be piezoelectric, which means the properties modulation of them gets rid of the limit to the gate voltage and they can be directly gated by external strain. Here, a self-powered photodetector based on WSe2 lateral PN homojunction is constructed, which exhibits excellent current rectification behavior with a rectification ratio of 1.8 × 103. Further, under the modulation of uniaxial tensile strain, a novel phenomenon that the dominant response waveband can be tuned from 550  to 800 nm by 1.04% tensile strain is observed. The maximum photoresponsivity to 800 nm incident laser reach 216.7 mA W-1 with 455% improvement has been demonstrated when a 1.04% tensile strain is applied. This work provides an example of multi-band response light detection with strain manipulation on a single photodetector device, which shows significant prospect in adaptable artificial vision application.

New paradigms of 2D layered material self-driven photodetectors

By virtue of the high carrier mobility, diverse electronic band structures, excellent electrostatic tunability, easy integration, and strong light-harvesting capability, 2D layered materials (2DLMs) have emerged as compelling contenders in the realm of photodetection and ushered in a new era of optoelectronic industry. In contrast to powered devices, self-driven photodetectors boast a wealth of advantages, notably low dark current, superior signal-to-noise ratio, low energy consumption, and exceptional compactness. Nevertheless, the construction of self-driven 2DLM photodetectors based on traditional p-n, homo-type, or Schottky heterojunctions, predominantly adopting a vertical configuration, confronts insurmountable dilemmas such as intricate fabrication procedures, sophisticated equipment, and formidable interface issues. In recent years, worldwide researchers have been devoted to pursuing exceptional strategies aimed at achieving the self-driven characteristics. This comprehensive review offers a methodical survey of the emergent paradigms toward self-driven photodetectors constructed from 2DLMs. Firstly, the burgeoning approaches employed to realize diverse self-driven 2DLM photodetectors are compiled, encompassing strategies such as strain modulation, thickness tailoring, structural engineering, asymmetric ferroelectric gating, asymmetric contacts (including work function, contact length, and contact area), ferroelectricity-enabled bulk photovoltaic effect, asymmetric optical antennas, among others, with a keen eye on the fundamental physical mechanisms that underpin them. Subsequently, the prevalent challenges within this research landscape are outlined, and the corresponding potential approaches for overcoming these obstacles are proposed. On the whole, this review highlights new device engineering avenues for the implementation of bias-free, high-performance, and highly integrated 2DLM optoelectronic devices.

High-Performance Gate-Voltage-Tunable Photodiodes Based on Nb2Pd3Se8/WSe2 Mixed-Dimensional Heterojunctions

The mixed-dimensional (MD) van der Waals (vdWs) heterojunction for photodetectors has garnered significant attention owing to its exceptional compatibility and superior quality. Low-dimensional material heterojunctions exhibit unique photoelectric properties attributed to their nanoscale thickness and vdWs contact surfaces. In this work, a novel MD vdWs heterojunction composed of one-dimensional (1D) Nb2Pd3Se8 nanowires and two-dimensional (2D) WSe2 nanosheets is proposed. The heterojunction's energy band engineering is accomplished by manipulating the Fermi level of the bipolar 2D material via gate voltage, resulting in a rectification characteristic that can be adjusted with gate voltage. Under 685 nm laser irradiation, it demonstrates exceptional self-powered photodetection performance, attaining a photoresponsivity of 1.45 A W-1, an ultrahigh detectivity of 6.8 × 1012 Jones, and an ultrafast response time of 37/64 μs at zero bias. In addition, a broadband photodetector from 255 to 1064 nm is realized. These results demonstrate the great potential of Nb2Pd3Se8/WSe2 MD heterostructures for advanced electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Integrated Pristine van der Waals Homojunctions for Self-Powered Image Sensors

Van der Waals junctions hold significant potentials for various applications in multifunctional and low-power electronics and optoelectronics. The multistep device fabrication process usually introduces lattice mismatch and defects at the junction interfaces, which deteriorate device performance. Here the layer engineering synthesis of van der Waals homojunctions consisting of 2H-MoTe2 with asymmetric thickness to eliminate heterogenous interfaces and thus obtain clean interfaces is reported. Experimental results confirm that the homostructure nature gives rise to the formation of pristine van der Waals junctions, avoiding chemical disorders and defects. The ability to tune the energy bands of 2H-MoTe2 continuously through layer engineering enables the creation of adjustable built-in electric field at the homojunction boundaries, which leads to the achievement of self-powered photodetection based on the obtained 2H-MoTe2 films. Furthermore, the successful integration of 2H-MoTe2 homojunctions into an image sensor with 10 × 10 pixels, brings about zero-power consumption and near-infrared imaging functions. The pristine van der Waals homojunctions and effective integration strategies shed new insights into the development of large-scale application for two-dimensional materials in advanced electronics and optoelectronics.

A simple 230 MHz photodetector based on exfoliated WSe2 multilayers

We demonstrate 230 MHz photodetection and a switching energy of merely 27 fJ using WSe2 multilayers and a very simple device architecture. This improvement over previous, slower WSe2 devices is enabled by systematically reducing the RC constant of devices through decreasing the photoresistance and capacitance. In contrast to MoS2, reducing the WSe2 thickness toward a monolayer only weakly decreases the response time, highlighting that ultrafast photodetection is also possible with atomically thin WSe2. Our work provides new insights into the temporal limits of pure transition metal dichalcogenide photodetectors and suggests that gigahertz photodetection with these materials should be feasible.

Optimizing Photoelectrochemical UV Imaging Photodetection: Construction of Anatase/Rutile Heterophase Homojunctions and Oxygen Vacancies Engineering in MOF-Derived TiO2

Self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) ultraviolet photodetectors (UVPDs) are promising for next-generation energy-saving and highly integrated optoelectronic systems. Constructing a heterojunction is an effective strategy to increase the photodetection performance of PEC UVPDs because it can promote the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers. However, both crystal defects and lattice mismatch lead to deteriorated device performance. Here, we introduce a structural regulation strategy to prepare TiO2 anatase-rutile heterophase homojunctions (A-R HHs) with oxygen vacancies (OVs) photoanodes through an in situ topological transformation of titanium metal-organic framework (Ti-MOF) by pyrolysis treatment. The cooperative interaction between A-R HHs and OVs suppresses carrier recombination and accelerates carrier transport, thereby significantly enhancing the photodetection performance of PEC UVPDs. The obtained device realizes a high on/off ratio of 10,752, a remarkable responsivity of 24.15 mA W-1, an impressive detectivity of 3.28 × 1011 Jones, and excellent cycling stability. More importantly, under 365 nm light illumination, a high-resolution image of "HUST" (the abbreviation of Harbin University of Science and Technology) was obtained perfectly, confirming the excellent optical imaging capability of the device. This research not only presents an advanced methodology for constructing TiO2-based PEC UVPDs, but also provides strategic guidance for enhancing their performance and practical applications.

Realizing Ultrafast Response Speed for Self-Powered Photodetectors with a Molecular-Doped Lateral InSe Homojunction

The implementation of energy-saving policies has stimulated intensive interest in exploring self-powered optoelectronic devices. The 2D p-n homojunction exhibits effective generation and separation of carriers excited by light, realizing lower power consumption and higher performance photodetectors. Here, a self-powered photodetector with high performance is fabricated based on an F4-TCNQ localized molecular-doped lateral InSe homojunction. Compared with the intrinsic InSe photodetector, the switching light ratio (Ilight/Idark) of the p-n homojunction device can be enhanced by 2.2 × 104, and the temporal response is also dramatically improved to 24/30 μs. Benefiting from the built-in electric field, due to the formation of an InSe p-n homojunction after partial doping of F4-TCNQ on InSe, the device possesses a high responsivity (R) of 93.21 mA/W, with a specific detectivity (D*) of 1.14 × 1011 Jones. These results suggest a promising approach to get a lateral InSe p-n homojunction and reveal the potential application of the device for next generation low-consumption photodetectors.

Electrically Tunable Multiple-Effects Synergistic and Boosted Photoelectric Performance in Te/WSe2 Mixed-Dimensional Heterojunction Phototransistors

Mix-dimensional heterojunctions (MDHJs) photodetectors (PDs) built from bulk and 2D materials are the research focus to develop hetero-integrated and multifunctional optoelectronic sensor systems. However, it is still an open issue for achieving multiple effects synergistic characteristics to boost sensitivity and enrich the prospect in artificial bionic systems. Herein, electrically tunable Te/WSe2 MDHJs phototransistors are constructed, and an ultralow dark current below 0.1 pA and a large on/off rectification ratio of 106 is achieved. Photoconductive, photovoltaic, and photo-thermoelectric conversions are simultaneously demonstrated by tuning the gate and bias. By these synergistic effects, responsivity and detectivity respectively reach 13.9 A W-1 and 1.37 × 1012 Jones with 400 times increment. The Te/WSe2 MDHJs PDs can function as artificial bionic visual systems due to the comparable response time to those of the human visual system and the presence of transient positive and negative response signals. This work offers an available strategy for intelligent optoelectronic devices with hetero-integration and multifunctions.

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

Designing high-performance polarization-sensitive photodetectors is essential for photonic device applications. Anisotropic one-dimensional (1D) van der Waals (vdW) materials have provided a promising platform to that end. Despite significant advances in 1D vdW photonic devices, their performance is still far from delivering practical potential. Herein, we propose the design of high-performance polarization-sensitive photodetectors using unique 1D vdW materials. By leveraging the chemical vapor transport technique, we successfully fabricate high-quality 1D vdW Nb2Pd1-xSe5 (x = 0.29) nanowires. The 1D vdW Nb2Pd1-xSe5 photodetector exhibits a high mobility of ∼56 cm2/(V s) and superior photoresponse performance, including a high responsivity of 1A/W and an ultrafast response time of ∼8 μs under 638 nm illumination. Moreover, the 1D vdW Nb2Pd1-xSe5 photodetector demonstrates excellent polarization-sensitive photoresponse with a degree of linear polarization (DOLP) up to 0.85 and can be modulated by adjusting the gate voltage, laser power density, and wavelength. Those exceptional performance are believed to be relevant to the symmetry-reduction induced by the partial occupation of Pd sites. This study offers feasible approaches to enhance the anisotropy of 1D vdW materials and the modulation of their polarization-sensitive photoresponse, which may provide deep insights into the physical origin of anisotropic properties of 1D vdW materials.

Air-stable self-powered photodetector based on TaSe2/WS2/TaSe2 asymmetric heterojunction with surface self-passivation

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides are highly suitable for constructing junction photodetectors because of their suspended bond-free surface and adjustable bandgap. Additional stable layers are often used to ensure the stability of photodetectors. Unfortunately, they often increase the complexity of preparation and cause performance degradation of devices. Considering the self-passivation behavior of TaSe2, we designed and fabricated a novel self-powered TaSe2/WS2/TaSe2 asymmetric heterojunction photodetector. The heterojunction photodetector shows excellent photoelectric performance and photovoltaic characteristics, achieving a high responsivity of 292 mA/W, an excellent specific detectivity of 2.43 × 1011 Jones, a considerable external quantum efficiency of 57 %, a large optical switching ratio of 2.6 × 105, a fast rise/decay time of 43/54 μs, a high open-circuit voltage of 0.23 V, and a short-circuit current of 2.28 nA under 633 nm laser irradiation at zero bias. Moreover, the device also shows a favorable optical response to 488 and 532 nm lasers. Notably, it exhibits excellent environmental long-term stability with the performance only decreasing ∼ 5.6 % after exposed to air for 3 months. This study provides a strategy for the development of air-stable self-powered photodetectors based on 2D materials.

Highly Sensitive Broadband Polarized Photodetector Based on the As0.6P0.4/WSe2 Heterostructure toward Imaging and Optical Communication Application

Polarization-sensitive photodetectors based on two-dimensional anisotropic materials still encounter the issues of narrow spectral coverage and low polarization sensitivity. To address these obstacles, anisotropic As0.6P0.4 with a narrow band gap has been integrated with WSe2 to construct a type-II heterostructure, realizing a high-performance polarization-sensitive photodetector with broad spectral range from 405 to 2200 nm. By operating in photovoltaic mode at zero bias, the device shows a very low dark current of ∼0.02 picoampere, high responsivity of 492 m A/W, and high photoswitching ratio of 6 × 104, yielding a high specific detectivity of 1.4 × 1012 Jones. The strong in-plane anisotropy of As0.6P0.4 endows the device with a capability of polarization-sensitive detection with a high polarization ratio of 6.85 under a bias voltage. As an image sensor and signal receiver, the device shows great potential in imaging and optical communication applications. This work develops an anisotropic vdW heterojunction to realize polarization-sensitive photodetectors with wide spectral coverage, fast response, and high sensitivity, providing a new candidate for potential applications of polarization-resolved electronics and photonics.

Recent advances in 2D transition metal dichalcogenide-based photodetectors: a review

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have emerged as a highly promising platform for the development of photodetectors (PDs) owing to their remarkable electronic and optoelectronic properties. Highly effective PDs can be obtained by making use of the exceptional properties of 2D materials, such as their high transparency, large charge carrier mobility, and tunable electronic structure. The photodetection mechanism in 2D TMD-based PDs is thoroughly discussed in this article, with special attention paid to the key characteristics that set them apart from PDs based on other integrated materials. This review examines how single TMDs, TMD-TMD heterostructures, TMD-graphene (Gr) hybrids, TMD-MXene composites, TMD-perovskite heterostructures, and TMD-quantum dot (QD) configurations show advanced photodetection. Additionally, a thorough analysis of the recent developments in 2D TMD-based PDs, highlighting their exceptional performance capabilities, including ultrafast photo response, ultrabroad detectivity, and ultrahigh photoresponsivity, attained through cutting-edge methods is provided. The article conclusion highlights the potential for ground-breaking discoveries in this fast developing field of research by outlining the challenges faced in the field of PDs today and providing an outlook on the prospects of 2D TMD-based PDs in the future.

Ferroelectricity-Driven Self-Powered Weak Temperature and Broadband Light Detection in MoS2/CuInP2S6/WSe2 van der Waals Heterojunction Nanoarchitectonics

Two-dimensional ferroelectric materials enrich the modulation degrees of freedom in self-powered van der Waals temperature/light detectors by incorporating pyroelectric and bulk photovoltaic effects. However, in addition to the low polarization, the practical applications of these materials are limited due to the significant challenge posed by their ultrathin nature, which affects their polarization stability. In this report, we introduce a design for a dual heterostructure-stabilized van der Waals heterojunction that addresses this challenge by improving the performance and extending the operational lifetime of self-powered van der Waals temperature/light detectors. The design is demonstrated using the MoS2/CuInP2S6 (CIPS)/WSe2 van der Waals heterojunction, which exhibits sensitivity to small temperature changes induced by weak light across the ultraviolet to mid-infrared spectrum. It can generate a noticeable pyroelectric current without the need for an external voltage, and its pyroelectric coefficient exceeds 130 and 978 μC/m2 K for 45 and 70 nm CIPS, respectively. The heterojunction offers high detection accuracy, with a temperature variation sensitivity as small as 0.1 K and an optical power intensity detection range from low to 1 μW/cm2. Additionally, the heterojunction exhibits exceptional detectivity (D*) for different light wavelengths. Remarkably, the self-powered detection performance remains stable for months without obvious degradation in the natural environment. These results offer a promising solution for high-performance, self-sustaining temperature/light detection applications and pave the way for the development of future ferroelectricity-driven photodetection technologies.

Self-Powered Programmable van der Waals Photodetectors with Nonvolatile Semifloating Gate

Tunable photovoltaic photodetectors are of significant relevance in the fields of programmable and neuromorphic optoelectronics. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by intricate architectural design and energy consumption challenges. This study employs a nonvolatile MoTe2/hexagonal boron nitride/graphene semifloating photodetector to address these issues. Programed with pulsed gate voltage, the MoTe2 channel can be reconfigured from an n+-n to a p-n homojunction and the photocurrent transition changes from negative to positive values. Scanning photocurrent mapping reveals that the negative and positive photocurrents are attributed to Schottky junction and p-n homojunction, respectively. In the p-n configuration, the device demonstrates self-driven, linear, rapid response (∼3 ms), and broadband sensitivity (from 405 to 1500 nm) for photodetection, with typical performances of responsivity at ∼0.5 A/W and detectivity ∼1.6 × 1012 Jones under 635 nm illumination. These outstanding photodetection capabilities emphasize the potential of the semifloating photodetector as a pioneering approach for advancing logical and nonvolatile optoelectronics.

Contemporary innovations in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide-based P-N junctions for optoelectronics

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D-TMDCs) with various physical characteristics have attracted significant interest from the scientific and industrial worlds in the years following Moore's law. The p-n junction is one of the earliest electrical components to be utilized in electronics and optoelectronics, and modern research on 2D materials has renewed interest in it. In this regard, device preparation and application have evolved substantially in this decade. 2D TMDCs provide unprecedented flexibility in the construction of innovative p-n junction device designs, which is not achievable with traditional bulk semiconductors. It has been investigated using 2D TMDCs for various junctions, including homojunctions, heterojunctions, P-I-N junctions, and broken gap junctions. To achieve high-performance p-n junctions, several issues still need to be resolved, such as developing 2D TMDCs of superior quality, raising the rectification ratio and quantum efficiency, and successfully separating the photogenerated electron-hole pairs, among other things. This review comprehensively details the various 2D-based p-n junction geometries investigated with an emphasis on 2D junctions. We investigated the 2D p-n junctions utilized in current rectifiers and photodetectors. To make a comparison of various devices easier, important optoelectronic and electronic features are presented. We thoroughly assessed the review's prospects and challenges for this emerging field of study. This study will serve as a roadmap for more real-world photodetection technology applications.

Polarization-Sensitive Detector Based on MoTe2/WTe2 Heterojunction for Broadband Optoelectronic Imaging

Polarization-sensitive detectors have significant applications in modern communication and information processing. In this study. We present a polarization-sensitive detector based on a MoTe2/WTe2 heterojunction, where WTe2 forms a favorable bandgap structure with MoTe2 after forming the heterojunction. This enhances the carrier separation efficiency and photoelectric response. We successfully achieved wide spectral detection ranging from visible to near-infrared light. Specifically, under zero bias, our photodetector exhibits a responsivity (R) of 0.6 A/W and a detectivity (D*) of 3.6 × 1013 Jones for 635 nm laser illumination. Moreover, the photoswitching ratio can approach approximately 6.3 × 105. Importantly, the polarization sensitivity can reach 3.5 (5.2) at 635 (1310) nm polarized light at zero bias. This study both unveils potential for utilizing MoTe2/WTe2 heterojunctions as polarization-sensitive detectors and provides novel insights for developing high-performance optoelectronic devices.

Bi2O2Se Nanowire/MoSe2 Mixed-Dimensional Polarization-Sensitive Photodiode with a Nanoscale Ultrafast-Response Channel

In recent years, polarization-sensitive photodiodes based on one-dimensional/two-dimensional (1D/2D) van der Waals (vdWs) heterostructures have garnered significant attention due to the high specific surface area, strong orientation degree of 1D structures, and large photo-active area and mechanical flexibility of 2D structures. Therefore, they are applicable in wearable electronics, electrical-driven lasers, image sensing, optical communication, optical switches, etc. Herein, 1D Bi₂O₂Se nanowires have been successfully synthesized via chemical vapor deposition. Impressively, the strongest Raman vibration modes can be achieved along the short edge (y-axis) of Bi₂O₂Se nanowires with high crystalline quality, which originate from Se and Bi vacancies. Moreover, the Bi₂O₂Se/MoSe₂ photodiode designed with type-II band alignment demonstrates a high rectification ratio of 10³. Intuitively, the photocurrent peaks are mainly distributed in the overlapped region under the self-powered mode and reverse bias, within the wavelength range of 400-nm. The resulting device exhibits excellent optoelectrical performances, including high responsivities (R) and fast response speed of 656 mA/W and 350/380 μs (zero bias) and 17.17 A/W and 100/110 μs (-1 V) under 635 nm illumination, surpassing the majority of reported mixed-dimensional photodiodes. The most significant feature of our photodiode is its highest photocurrent anisotropic ratio of ∼2.2 (-0.8 V) along the long side (x-axis) of Bi₂O₂Se nanowires under 635 nm illumination. The above results reveal a robust and distinctive correlation between structural defects and polarized orientation for 1D Bi₂O₂Se nanowires. Furthermore, 1D Bi₂O₂Se nanowires appear to be a great potential candidate for high-performance rectifiers, polarization-sensitive photodiodes, and phototransistors based on mixed vdWs heterostructures.

A broadband, self-powered, and polarization-sensitive PdSe2 photodetector based on asymmetric van der Waals contacts

Self-powered photodetectors with broadband and polarization-sensitive photoresponse are desirable for many important applications such as wearable electronic devices and wireless communication systems. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) materials have been demonstrated as promising candidates for self-powered photodetectors owing to their advantages in light-matter interaction, transport, electronic properties, and so on. However, their performance in speed, broadband response, and multifunction is still limited. Here, we report a PdSe2 photodetector with asymmetric van der Waals (vdWs) contacts formed by using a homojunction configuration. This device achieves a high responsivity approaching 53 mA/W, a rise/decay time of about 0.72 ms/0.24 ms, and a detectivity of more than 5.17 × 1011 Jones in the visible-near infrared regime (532-1470 nm). In addition, a linear polarization-sensitive response can be observed with an anisotropy ratio of 1.11 at 532 nm and 1.62 at 1064 nm. Furthermore, a strong anisotropic response endows this photodetector with outstanding polarization imaging capabilities, realizing a contrast-enhanced degree of linear polarization imaging. Our proposed device architecture demonstrated the great potential of PdSe2-based asymmetric vdWs contacts for high-performance photodetectors operating without any external bias.

Self-Powered Bidirectional Photoresponse in High-Detectivity WSe2 Phototransistor with Asymmetrical van der Waals Stacking for Retinal Neurons Emulation

An artificial retina system shows a promising potential to achieve fast response, low power consumption, and high integration density for vision sensing systems. Optoelectronic sensors, which can emulate the neurobiological functionalities of retinal neurons, are crucial in the artificial retina systems. Here, we propose a WSe₂ phototransistor with asymmetrical van der Waals (vdWs) stacking that can be used as an optoelectronic sensor in artificial retina systems. Through the utilization of the gate-tunable self-powered bidirectional photoresponse of this phototransistor, the neurobiological functionalities of both bipolar cells and cone cells, as well as the hierarchical connectivity between these two types of retinal neurons, are successfully mimicked by a single device. This self-powered bidirectional photoresponse is attributed to the asymmetrical vdWs stacking structure, which enables the transition from an n-p to p⁺-p homojunction in the WSe₂ channel under different polarities of gate bias. Moreover, the detectivity and ON/OFF ratio of this phototransistor reach as high as 1.8 × 10¹³ Jones and 5.3 × 10⁴, respectively, and a rise/fall time <80 μs is achieved, as well, which reveals good photodetection performance. The proof of this device provides a pathway for the future development of neuromorphic vision devices and systems.

Te/SnS2 tunneling heterojunctions as high-performance photodetectors with superior self-powered properties

The tunneling heterojunctions made of two-dimensional (2D) materials have been explored to have many intriguing properties, such as ultrahigh rectification and on/off ratio, superior photoresponsivity, and improved photoresponse speed, showing great potential in achieving multifunctional and high-performance electronic and optoelectronic devices. Here, we report a systematic study of the tunneling heterojunctions consisting of 2D tellurium (Te) and Tin disulfide (SnS₂). The Te/SnS₂ heterojunctions possess type-II band alignment and can transfer to type-III one under reverse bias, showing a reverse rectification ratio of about 5000 and a current on/off ratio over 10⁴. The tunneling heterojunctions as photodetectors exhibit an ultrahigh photoresponsivity of 50.5 A W^-1 in the visible range, along with a dramatically enhanced photoresponse speed. Furthermore, due to the reasonable type-II band alignment and negligible band bending at the interface, Te/SnS₂ heterojunctions at zero bias exhibit excellent self-powered performance with a high responsivity of 2.21 A W^-1 and external quantum efficiency of 678%. The proposed heterostructure in this work provides a useful guideline for the rational design of a high-performance self-powered photodetector.

Type-I Heterostructure Based on WS2/PtS2 for High-Performance Photodetectors

van der Waals (vdW) heterodiodes composed of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials led to a new prospect in photoelectron diodes and photovoltaic devices. Existing studies have shown that Type-I heterostructures have great potential to be used as photodetectors; however, the tunneling phenomena in Type-I heterostructures have not been fully revealed. Herein, a highly efficient nn⁺ WS₂/PtS₂ Type-I vdW heterostructure photodiode is constructed. The device shows an ultrahigh reverse rectification ratio of 10⁵ owing to the transmission barrier-induced low reverse current. A unilateral depletion region is formed on WS₂, which inhibits the recombination of carriers at the interface and makes the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the device reach 67%. Due to the tunneling mechanism of the device, which allows the co-existence of a large photocurrent and a low dark current, this device achieves a light on/off ratio of over 10⁵. In addition, this band design allows the device to maintain a high detectivity of 4.53 × 10¹⁰ Jones. Our work provides some new ideas for exploring new high-efficiency photodiodes.

Dielectric Contrast Tailoring for Polarized Photosensitivity toward Multiplexing Optical Communications and Dynamic Encrypt Technology

A selective-area oxidation strategy is developed to polarize high-symmetry 2D layered materials (2DLMs). The dichroic ratio of the derived O-WS₂/WS₂ photodetector reaches ∼8, which is competitive among state-of-the-art polarization photodetectors. Finite-different time-domain simulations consolidate that the polarization-sensitive photoresponse is associated with anisotropic spacial confinement, which gives rise to distinct dielectric contrasts for linearly polarized light of various directions and thus the polarization-dependent near-field distribution. Furthermore, selective-area oxidation treatment brings about dual effects, comprising the in situ formation of seamless in-plane WS₂ homojunctions by thickness tailoring and the formation of out-of-plane O-WS₂/WS₂ heterojunctions. As a consequence, the recombination of photocarriers is markedly suppressed, resulting in outstanding photosensitivity with the optimized responsivity, external quantum efficiency, and detectivity of 0.161 A/W, 49.4%, and 1.4 × 10¹¹ Jones for an O-WS₂/WS₂ photodetector in a self-powered mode. A scheme of multiplexing optical communications is revealed by harnessing the intensity and polarization state of light as independent transmission channels. Furthermore, dynamic encryption by leveraging the polarization state as a secret key is proposed. In the end, broad universality is reinforced through the induction of linear dichroism within 2D WSe₂ crystals. On the whole, this study provides an additional perspective on polarization optoelectronics based on 2DLMs.

Polarization-Resolved p-Se/n-WS2 Heterojunctions toward Application in Microcomputer System as Multivalued Signal Trigger

Polarization-sensitive photodetectors based on van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWH) have excellent polarization-resolved optoelectronic properties that can enable the applications in polarized light identification and imaging. With the development of optical microcomputer control systems (OMCS), it is crucial and energy efficient to adopt the self-powered and polarization-resolved signal-generators to optimize the circuit design of OMCS. In this work, the selenium (Se) flakes with in-plane anisotropy and p-type character are grown and incorporated with n-type tungsten disulfide (WS₂ ) to construct the type-II vdWH for polarization-sensitive and self-powered photodetectors. Under 405 nm monochrome laser with 1.33 mW cm^-2 power density, the photovoltaic device exhibits superior photodetection performance with the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.6%, the responsivity (R) of 196 mA W^-1 and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of about 60%. The strong in-plane anisotropy of Se crystal structure gives rise to the capability of polarized light detection with anisotropic photocurrent ratio of ≈2.2 under the 405 nm laser (13.71 mW cm^-2 ). Benefiting from the well polarization-sensitive and photovoltaic properties, the p-Se/n-WS₂ vdWH is successfully applied in the OMCS as multivalued signal trigger. This work develops the new anisotropic vdWH and demonstrates its feasibility for applications in logic circuits and control systems.

A new concept of atomically thin p-n junction based on Ca2N/Na2N donor-acceptor heterostructure: a first-principles study

In atomically thin p-n junctions, traditional strategies such as doping and implantation for realizing a p- or n-region will fail at the nanoscale, and the Schottky barrier and Fermi level pinning effect taking place in metal-semiconductor contacts seriously suppress the transport properties. In this work, based on first-principles calculations, we propose a new strategy for realizing an ultrathin p-n junction by vertically stacking nonstoichiometric Ca₂N and Na₂N monolayers, which represents a kind of donor-acceptor heterostructure with a natural Ohmic contact. It is of great interest to find that the tunneling barrier can be eliminated and the charge transfer quantity is one order of magnitude higher than that between polar monolayers by adjusting the interlayer distance. In addition, at equilibrium the interlayer tunneling can be turned into resonant transport due to the quasi-bonding, thus enabling excellent transmission performance. In accordance with the results, we believe that our new concept of an atomically thin p-n junction will provide an unprecedented possibility for the development of nanodevices.

Multifunctional GeAs/WS2 Heterojunctions for Highly Polarization-Sensitive Photodetectors in the Short-Wave Infrared Range

Polarization-sensitive photodetectors in the infrared range have attracted considerable attention because of their unique and wide application prospects in polarization sensors and remote sensing. However, it is challenging to achieve short-wave infrared polarization detection as most polarization-sensitive photodetectors are based on transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials with in-plane symmetric crystal structure and sizable band gap (1-2 eV). In this work, we design a type-II GeAs/WS₂ heterojunction realizing superior self-driven polarization-sensitive photodetection in the short-wave infrared region. The device shows obvious rectifying behavior with a rectification ratio of 1.5 × 10⁴ in the dark and excellent photoresponse characteristics in a broad spectral range. Accordingly, the high responsivity of 509 mA/W, large on/off ratio of 10³, a high EQE of 99.8%, and a high specific detectivity of 1.08 × 10¹² Jones are obtained under 635 nm laser irradiation. Taking advantage of the narrow band gap of GeAs with an anisotropic structure, the detection spectral coverage can be extended from the visible to the short-wave infrared range (635-1550 nm). Further, the GeAs/WS₂ heterojunction shows high polarization sensitivity with an anisotropic photocurrent ratio of 4.5 and 3.1 at zero bias under 1310 and 1550 nm laser irradiation, respectively, which is much higher than that of reported polarization-sensitive photodetectors in the infrared region. This work provides an effective route using low-symmetry 2D materials with narrow band gap and anisotropic structure to design van der Waals (vdW) heterojunctions, realizing multifunctional optoelectronics for rectifying, photovoltaics, and polarization-sensitive photodetectors with spectral coverage up to 1550 nm.

Zero power infrared sensing in 2D/3D-assembled heterogeneous graphene/In/InSe/Au

Low- or self-powered infrared sensors can be used in a broad range of applications, including networking mobile edge devices and image recognition for autonomous driving technology. Here, we show state-of-the-art self-powered near-infrared (NIR) sensors using graphene/In/InSe/Au as a photoactive region. The self-powered NIR sensors show outstanding performance, achieving a photoresponsivity of ∼8.5 A W^-1 and a detectivity of ∼10¹² Jones at 850 nm light. Multiple self-powered InSe photodetectors with different device structures and contacts were systematically investigated. In particular, the asymmetrically assembled graphene/In/InSe/Au vertical heterostructure offers a high built-in field, which gives rise to efficient electron-hole pair separation and transit time that is shorter than the photocarrier lifetime. The built-in potential across the InSe was estimated using the Schottky barrier height at each metal contact with InSe, obtained using density functional theory calculations. We also demonstrate InSe vertical field-effect transistors and provide an out-of-plane carrier mobility of InSe. Using the out-of-plane mobility and structural parameters of each device, the built-in field, drift velocity, and corresponding transit time are estimated.

Promoting the Performance of 2D Material Photodetectors by Dielectric Engineering

Low light absorption and limited carrier lifetime are two limiting factors hampering the further breakthrough of the performance of 2D materials (2DMs)-based photodetectors. This study proposes an ingenious dielectric engineering strategy toward boosting the photosensitivity. Periodic dielectric structures (PDSs), including SiO₂ /h-BN, SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ , and SiO₂ /SrTiO₃ (STO), are exploited to couple with 2D photosensitive channels (denoted as PDS-2DMs). The responsivity, external quantum efficiency, and detectivity of an optimized SiO₂ /STO_(300 nm) -WSe₂ photodetector reach 89081 A W^-1 , 2.7 × 10⁷ %, and 1.8 × 10¹³ Jones, respectively. These performance metrics are orders of magnitude higher than a pristine WSe₂ photodetector, enabling reliable sub-1 pW weak light detection. Based on systematic characterizations and first-principle calculations, such dramatic performance improvement is associated with the promoted direct bandgap transition, reduced exciton binding energy, and PDS-induced periodic intramolecular built-in electric field across the atomically thin channels, which efficiently separates the photoexcited electron-hole pairs. More inspiringly, this strategy is also successfully exploited to 2D WS₂ photodetectors, demonstrating broad applicability. As a whole, this work promises an exceptional avenue to ameliorate 2DM photodetectors and opens up a new horizon "dielectric optoelectronics," simultaneously highlighting the role of dielectric environment during analyzing the fundamentals of 2DM devices.

Monolayer WS2 Lateral Homosuperlattices with Two-dimensional Periodic Localized Photoluminescence

Homojunctions and homosuperlattices are essential structures and have been widely explored for use in advanced electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, artificially manipulating crystalline phases in two-dimensional (2D) monolayers is still challenging, especially when attempting to engineer lateral homogeneous junctions in a single monolayer of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Herein, we demonstrate a lateral homosuperlattice (MLHS) with alternating 1T and 2H domains in a 2D WS₂ monolayer plane. In MLHSs, the 2H domains, which are laterally localized and isolated by potential wells, manifest junction interfaces and irradiated photoluminescence (PL) with a lateral periodic distribution in the two-dimensional plane. The studies on MLHSs here can provide further understanding of lateral homojunctions and homosuperlattices in a monolayer plane, providing an alternative route to modulate optical and electronic behaviors in TMD monolayers.

2D Layered Material Alloys: Synthesis and Application in Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices

2D layered materials (2DLMs) have come under the limelight of scientific and engineering research and broke new ground across a broad range of disciplines in the past decade. Nevertheless, the members of stoichiometric 2DLMs are relatively limited. This renders them incompetent to fulfill the multitudinous scenarios across the breadth of electronic and optoelectronic applications since the characteristics exhibited by a specific material are relatively monotonous and limited. Inspiringly, alloying of 2DLMs can markedly broaden the 2D family through composition modulation and it has ushered a whole new research domain: 2DLM alloy nano-electronics and nano-optoelectronics. This review begins with a comprehensive survey on synthetic technologies for the production of 2DLM alloys, which include chemical vapor transport, chemical vapor deposition, pulsed-laser deposition, and molecular beam epitaxy, spanning their development, as well as, advantages and disadvantages. Then, the up-to-date advances of 2DLM alloys in electronic devices are summarized. Subsequently, the up-to-date advances of 2DLM alloys in optoelectronic devices are summarized. In the end, the ongoing challenges of this emerging field are highlighted and the future opportunities are envisioned, which aim to navigate the coming exploration and fully exert the pivotal role of 2DLMs toward the next generation of electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Efficient Suppression of Charge Recombination in Self-Powered Photodetectors with Band-Aligned Transferred van der Waals Metal Electrodes

Recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs dominates the photocarrier lifetime and then influences the performance of photodetectors and solar cells. In this work, we report the design and fabrication of band-aligned van der Waals-contacted photodetectors with atomically sharp and flat metal-semiconductor interfaces through transferred metal integration. A unity factor α is achieved, which is essentially independent of the wavelength of the light, from ultraviolet to near-infrared, indicating effective suppression of charge recombination by the device. The short-circuit current (0.16 μA) and open-circuit voltage (0.72 V) of the band-aligned van der Waals-contacted devices are at least 1 order of magnitude greater than those of band-aligned deposited devices and 2 orders of magnitude greater than those of non-band-aligned deposited devices. High responsivity, detectivity, and polarization sensitivity ratio of 283 mA/W, 6.89 × 10¹² cm Hz^1/2 W^-1, and 3.05, respectively, are also obtained for the device at zero bias. Moreover, the efficient suppression of charge recombination in our air-stable self-powered photodetectors also results in a fast response speed and leads to polarization-sensitive performance.

Substitutionally Doped MoSe2 for High-Performance Electronics and Optoelectronics

2D materials, of which the carrier type and concentration are easily tuned, show tremendous superiority in electronic and optoelectronic applications. However, the achievements are still quite far away from practical applications. Much more effort should be made to further improve their performance. Here, p-type MoSe₂ is successfully achieved via substitutional doping of Ta atoms, which is confirmed experimentally and theoretically, and outstanding homojunction photodetectors and inverters are fabricated. MoSe₂ p-n homojunction device with a low reverse current (300 pA) exhibits a high rectification ratio (10⁴ ). The analysis of dark current reveals the domination of the Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) and band-to-band tunneling (BTB) current. The homojunction photodetector exhibits a large open-circuit voltage (0.68 V) and short-circuit currents (1 µA), which is suitable for micro-solar cells. Furthermore, it possesses outstanding responsivity (0.28 A W^-1 ), large external quantum efficiency (42%), and a high signal-to-noise ratio (≈10⁷ ). Benefiting from the continuous energy band of homojunction, the response speed reaches up to 20 µs. Besides, the Ta-doped MoSe₂ inverter exhibits a high voltage gain (34) and low power consumption (127 nW). This work lays a foundation for the practical application of 2D material devices.

Design and tailoring of two-dimensional Schottky, PN and tunnelling junctions for electronics and optoelectronics

Owing to their superior carrier mobility, strong light-matter interactions, and flexibility at the atomically thin thickness, two-dimensional (2D) materials are attracting wide interest for application in electronic and optoelectronic devices, including rectifying diodes, transistors, memory, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes. At the heart of these devices, Schottky, PN, and tunneling junctions are playing an essential role in defining device function. Intriguingly, the ultrathin thickness and unique van der Waals (vdW) interlayer coupling in 2D materials has rendered enormous opportunities for the design and tailoring of various 2D junctions, e.g. using Lego-like hetero-stacking, surface decoration, and field-effect modulation methods. Such flexibility has led to marvelous breakthroughs during the exploration of 2D electronics and optoelectronic devices. To advance further, it is imperative to provide an overview of existing strategies for the engineering of various 2D junctions for their integration in the future. Thus, in this review, we provide a comprehensive survey of previous efforts toward 2D Schottky, PN, and tunneling junctions, and the functional devices built from them. Though these junctions exhibit similar configurations, distinct strategies have been developed for their optimal figures of merit based on their working principles and functional purposes.

2D Homojunctions for Electronics and Optoelectronics

In the post-Moore era, 2D materials with rich physical properties have attracted widespread attention from the scientific and industrial communities. Among 2D materials, the 2D homojunctions are of great promise in designing novel electronic and optoelectronic devices due to their unique geometries and properties such as homogeneous components, perfect lattice matching, and efficient charge transfer at the interface. In this article, a pioneering review focusing on the structural design and device application of 2D homojunctions such as p-n homojunctions, heterophase homojunctions, and layer-engineered homojunctions is provided. The preparation strategies to construct 2D homojunctions including vapor-phase deposition, lithium intercalation, laser irradiation, chemical doping, electrostatic doping, and photodoping are summarized in detail. Specifically, a careful review on the applications of the 2D homojunctions in electronics (e.g., field-effect transistors, rectifiers, and inverters) and optoelectronics (e.g., light-emitting diodes, photovoltaics, and photodetectors) is provided. Eventually, the current challenges and future perspectives are commented for promoting the rapid development of 2D homojunctions.