Graphene/SnS2 van der Waals Photodetector with High Photoresponsivity and High Photodetectivity for Broadband 365-2240 nm Detection

Broadband InSe/MoS2 Type-II Heterojunction Photodetector with Gate-Tunable Polarity Induced Near-Linear Wavelength-Dependent Photocurrent Peak

Selectable polarity in van der Waals materials not only broadens the scope of design for electronic components but also opens new avenues for the development of advanced electronic, optoelectronic, and sensor devices. In this study, we fabricated vertically stacked InSe/MoS2 van der Waals type-II heterojunction photodetectors and conducted a systematic investigation of their photoelectrical properties. Our findings demonstrate the high performance of these photodetectors, characterized by effective suppression of charge recombination, the presence of both positive and negative photoconductivity under different incident light excitations, broad-spectrum detection ranging from 400 to 1064 nm, and remarkable responsivity and photodetectivity values of 10,200 A/W (-1430 A/W) and 3 × 1013 cm Hz-1/2 W-1 (3.6 × 1011 cm Hz-1/2 W-1) at 532 nm (1064 nm), respectively. Additionally, the fabricated photodetectors exhibit a gate-tunable polarity transition at a gate voltage of -20 V, leading to a photocurrent peak, the position of which shows a near-linear dependence on the incident light wavelength. By applying external gate voltages, the van der Waals heterojunctions can flexibly switch between functions such as photodetection, modulation, and storage in different applications, providing new scope for the design of integrated circuits and the development of multifunctional devices. Through Poisson and drift-diffusion simulations, we attribute the observed negative photoresponse to electrons excited from the InSe valence band to the MoS2 conduction band and subsequently trapped at the interface. The photocurrent peak arises from charge carrier accumulation at the interface, with its position determined by the interplay between the hole accumulation density in InSe and electron accumulation density in MoS2. Our results present a promising opportunity for the design of compact spectrometers based on van der Waals type-II heterojunction photodetectors.

Bias Tunable SnS2/ReSe2 Tunneling Photodetector with High Responsivity and Fast Response Speed

2D photodetectors operating in photovoltaic mode exhibit a trade-off between response speed and photoresponsivity. This work presents a phototransistor based on SnS2/ReSe2 heterojunction. Under negative bias, the energy band spike at the heterojunction interface impedes the carrier drifting so that the dark current is as low as 10-13 A. The tunneling under positive bias significantly reduces the transmission time of photogenerated carriers, which enhances the responsivity and specific detectivity to 32.77 A W-1 and 5.77 × 1011 Jones, respectively. Under reverse bias, the enhanced built-in electric field strengthens the rapid separation of photogenerated carriers, which elevates a response speed to 10.5/24.1 µs and a 3 dB bandwidth to 54.8 kHz. The device also exhibits a broad spectral detection capability, extending from the near-ultraviolet to the near-infrared. Furthermore, this work also executed high-quality ASCII communication and high-resolution broadband single-pixel imaging, which demonstrates great promise for incorporation into future broadband optoelectronic systems.

Monolayer SnS2 Schottky barrier field effect transistors: effects of electrodes

Achieving Ohmic contacts with low resistance is quite desirable for two-dimensional (2D) Schottky barrier field effect transistors (SBFETs). We verify the electrode effect on monolayer (ML) SnS2 SBFETs using ab initio calculations. With the aforeselected ML electrodes from matching lattices and work functions, we obtain n-type Ohmic contacts or quasi-Ohmic contacts to ML SnS2 with ML 1T-NbTe2, Sc2NF2, Mo2NF2, Nb2CF2, and graphene electrodes. The n-type ML SnS2 SBFET with the Ohmic-contact 1T-NbTe2 electrode exhibits remarkably better device performance than that with a Schottky-contact 2H-NbTe2 electrode, and their on-state currents of 629/1048 μA μm-1, delay times of 0.236/0.169 ps, and power dissipations of 0.074/0.089 fJ μm-1 exceed the International Roadmap for Devices and Systems targets for low-power/high-performance application. This study reports on Ohmic-contact electrodes for n-type ML SnS2 SBFETs and can give hints for future theoretical and experimental studies on 2D SBFETs.

Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance of p-WSe2/Re0.12W0.42Mo0.46S2 Heterojunction

Stacking of van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures and chemical element doping have emerged as crucial methods for enhancing the performance of semiconductors. This study proposes a novel strategy for modifying heterostructures by codoping MoS2 with two elements, Re and W, resulting in the construction of a RexWyMo1-x-yS2/WSe2 heterostructure for the preparation of photodetectors. This approach incorporates multiple strategies to enhance the performance, including hybrid stacking of materials, type-II band alignment, and regulation of element doping. As a result, the RexWyMo1-x-yS2/WSe2 devices demonstrate exceptional performance, including high photoresponsivity (1550.22 A/W), high detectivity (8.17 × 1013 Jones), and fast response speed (rise/fall time, 190 ms/1.42 s). Moreover, the ability to tune the band gap through element doping enables spectral response in the ultraviolet (UV), visible light, and near-infrared (NIR) regions. This heterostructure fabrication scheme highlights the high sensitivity and potential applications of vdW heterostructure (vdWH) in optoelectronic devices.

A synergistic heterojunction of SnS2/SnSSe nanosheets on GaN for advanced self-powered photodetectors

Tin-based TMDCs are gaining traction in optoelectronics due to their eco-friendliness and easy synthesis, contrasting Mo/W-based counterparts. This study pioneers the solvothermal synthesis of highly crystalline SnSSe alloy, akin to Janus structures, bridging a notable research gap. By integrating SnS2/SnSSe materials onto a GaN platform, a synergistic heterojunction is created, enhancing light absorption and the electron-hole pair separation efficiency, demonstrating a self-powered photodetection. The GaN/SnS2/SnSSe heterojunction showcases a staircase-like (type-II) band alignment and exceptional performance metrics: high photoresponsivity of 314.96 A W-1, specific detectivity of 2.0 × 1014 jones, and external quantum efficiency of 10.7 × 104% under 365 nm illumination at 150 nW cm-2 intensity and 3 V bias. Notably, the device displays intensity-dependent photocurrent and photoswitching behaviors without external bias, highlighting its unique self-powered attributes. This study underscores SnS2's significance in optoelectronics and explores SnSSe integration into van der Waals heterostructures, promising advanced photodetection devices and bias-free optoelectronics.

Progress in Advanced Infrared Optoelectronic Sensors

Infrared optoelectronic sensors have attracted considerable research interest over the past few decades due to their wide-ranging applications in military, healthcare, environmental monitoring, industrial inspection, and human-computer interaction systems. A comprehensive understanding of infrared optoelectronic sensors is of great importance for achieving their future optimization. This paper comprehensively reviews the recent advancements in infrared optoelectronic sensors. Firstly, their working mechanisms are elucidated. Then, the key metrics for evaluating an infrared optoelectronic sensor are introduced. Subsequently, an overview of promising materials and nanostructures for high-performance infrared optoelectronic sensors, along with the performances of state-of-the-art devices, is presented. Finally, the challenges facing infrared optoelectronic sensors are posed, and some perspectives for the optimization of infrared optoelectronic sensors are discussed, thereby paving the way for the development of future infrared optoelectronic sensors.

Band Alignment Transition and Enhanced Performance in Vertical SnS2/MoS2 van der Waals Photodetectors

The strong light-matter interaction and naturally passivated surfaces of van der Waals materials make heterojunctions of such materials ideal candidates for high-performance photodetectors. In this study, we fabricated SnS2/MoS2 van der Waals heterojunctions and investigated their photoelectric properties. Using an applied gate voltage, we can effectively alter the band arrangement and achieve a transition in type II and type I junctions. It is found that the SnS2/MoS2 van der Waals heterostructures are type II heterojunctions when the gate voltage is above -25 V. Below this gate voltage, the heterojunctions become type I. Photoelectric measurements under various wavelengths of incident light reveal enhanced sensitivity in the ultraviolet region and a broadband sensing range from 400 to 800 nm. Moreover, due to the transition from type II to type I band alignment, the measured photocurrent saturates at a specific gate voltage, and this value depends crucially on the bias voltage and light wavelength, providing a potential avenue for designing compact spectrometers.

Next-Generation Photodetectors beyond Van Der Waals Junctions

With the continuous advancement of nanofabrication techniques, development of novel materials, and discovery of useful manipulation mechanisms in high-performance applications, especially photodetectors, the morphology of junction devices and the way junction devices are used are fundamentally revolutionized. Simultaneously, new types of photodetectors that do not rely on any junction, providing a high signal-to-noise ratio and multidimensional modulation, have also emerged. This review outlines a unique category of material systems supporting novel junction devices for high-performance detection, namely, the van der Waals materials, and systematically discusses new trends in the development of various types of devices beyond junctions. This field is far from mature and there are numerous methods to measure and evaluate photodetectors. Therefore, it is also aimed to provide a solution from the perspective of applications in this review. Finally, based on the insight into the unique properties of the material systems and the underlying microscopic mechanisms, emerging trends in junction devices are discussed, a new morphology of photodetectors is proposed, and some potential innovative directions in the subject area are suggested.

Enhanced Optical Response of SnS/SnS2 Layered Heterostructure

The SnS/SnS₂ heterostructure was fabricated by the chemical vapor deposition method. The crystal structure properties of SnS₂ and SnS were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The frequency dependence photoconductivity explores its carrier kinetic decay process. The SnS/SnS₂ heterostructure shows that the ratio of short time constant decay process reaches 0.729 with a time constant of 4.3 × 10^-4 s. The power-dependent photoresponsivity investigates the mechanism of electron-hole pair recombination. The results indicate that the photoresponsivity of the SnS/SnS₂ heterostructure has been increased to 7.31 × 10^-3 A/W, representing a significant enhancement of approximately 7 times that of the individual films. The results show the optical response speed has been improved by using the SnS/SnS₂ heterostructure. These results indicate an application potential of the layered SnS/SnS₂ heterostructure for photodetection. This research provides valuable insights into the preparation of the heterostructure composed of SnS and SnS₂, and presents an approach for designing high-performance photodetection devices.

Light-Tunable Polarity and Erasable Physisorption-Induced Memory Effect in Vertically Stacked InSe/SnS2 Self-Powered Photodetector

van der Waals heterojunctions with tunable polarity are being actively explored for more Moore and more-than-Moore device applications, as they can greatly simplify circuit design. However, inadequate control over the multifunctional operational states is still a challenge in their development. Here, we show that a vertically stacked InSe/SnS₂ van der Waals heterojunction exhibits type-II band alignment, and its polarity can be tuned by an external electric field and by the wavelength and intensity of an illuminated light source. Moreover, such SnS₂/InSe diodes are self-powered broadband photodetectors with good performance. The self-powered performance can be further enhanced significantly with gas adsorption, and the device can be quickly restored to the state before gas injection using a gate voltage pulse. Our results suggest a way to achieve and design multiple functions in a single device with multifield coupling of light, electrical field, gas, or other external stimulants.

Laser Irradiation Effect on the p-GaSe/n-HfS2 PN-Heterojunction for High-Performance Phototransistors

Two-dimensional (2D)-based PN-heterojunction revealed a promising future of atomically thin optoelectronics with diverse functionalities in different environments. Herein, we reported a p-GaSe/n-HfS₂ van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure for high-performance photodetectors and investigated the laser irradiation effect on the fabricated device. The fabricated 2D vdW heterostructure revealed a high photoresponsivity of 1 × 10⁴ A W^-1 with a photocurrent value of 377 nA due to unique type-II band alignment and enhanced surface potential under light illumination, which is further confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Before laser irradiation, the device showed high field-effect mobility (μ_EF) of 26.37 cm² V^-1 s^-1, ON/OFF ratio of ∼10⁵, and threshold voltage swing (SS) of ∼463 mV dec^-1. With the exposure of 690 mW cm^-2 laser power density, μ_EF reached 204 cm² V^-1 s^-1, although ∼2 V ΔV_th shifts are observed along with the SS decreased to 175 mV dec^-1. Interestingly, the reduced SS shows better channel control of the fabricated device with laser power. Similarly, the ON/OFF ratio decreased to ∼1.29 × 10³. The results indicate that the creation of oxide trap charges at the interface of SiO₂ and PN-heterojunction layers was observed with voltage biasing and high laser power density. The degradation of electrical parameters is attributed to fewer interface trap charges per surface area of the device rather than direct damage in PN-heterojunction layers. Considering the excellent 2D electronic properties, these materials are better candidates for future high-radiation environments.

Highly-Responsive Broadband Photodetector Based on Graphene-PTAA-SnS2 Hybrid

The development of wearable systems stimulate the exploration of flexible broadband photodetectors with high responsivity and stability. In this paper, we propose a facile liquid-exfoliating method to prepare SnS2 nanosheets with high-quality crystalline structure and optoelectronic properties. A flexible photodetector is fabricated using the SnS2 nanosheets with graphene-poly[bis(4-phenyl) (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) amine (PTAA) hybrid structure. The liquid-exfoliated SnS2 nanosheets enable the photodetection from ultraviolet to near infrared with high responsivity and detectivity. The flexible broadband photodetector demonstrates a maximum responsivity of 1 × 105 A/W, 3.9 × 104 A/W, 8.6 × 102 A/W and 18.4 A/W under 360 nm, 405 nm, 532 nm, and 785 nm illuminations, with specific detectivity up to ~1012 Jones, ~1011 Jones, ~109 Jones, and ~108 Jones, respectively. Furthermore, the flexible photodetector exhibits nearly invariable performance over 3000 bending cycles, rendering great potentials for wearable applications.

Engineering sensitivity and spectral range of photodetection in van der Waals materials and hybrids

Exploration of van der Waals heterostructures in the field of optoelectronics has produced photodetectors with very high bandwidth as well as ultra-high sensitivity. Appropriate engineering of these heterostructures allows us to exploit multiple light-to-electricity conversion mechanisms, ranging from photovoltaic, photoconductive to photogating processes. These mechanisms manifest in different sensitivity and speed of photoresponse. In addition, integrating graphene-based hybrid structures with photonic platforms provides a high gain-bandwidth product, with bandwidths ≫1 GHz. In this review, we discuss the progression in the field of photodetection in 2D hybrids. We emphasize the physical mechanisms at play in diverse architectures and discuss the origin of enhanced photoresponse in hybrids. Recent developments in 2D photodetectors based on room temperature detection, photon-counting ability, integration with Si and other pressing issues, that need to be addressed for these materials to be integrated with industrial standards have been discussed.