Abstract
In the realm of optoelectronics, photodetectors play pivotal roles, with applications spanning from high-speed data communication to precise environmental sensing. Despite the advancements, conventional photodetectors grapple with challenges with response speed and dark current. In this study, we present a photodetector based on a lateral MoTe2 p-n junction, defined by a semi-floating ferroelectric gate. The strong ferroelectric fields and the depletion region of the p-n junction in the device are notably compact, which diminish the carrier transit time, thereby enhancing the speed of the photoelectric response. The non-volatile MoTe2 homojunction, under the influence of external gate voltage pulses, can alter the orientation of the intrinsic electric field within the junction. As a photovoltaic detector, it achieves an ultra-low dark current of 20 pA, and a fast photo response of 2 μs. The spectral response is extended to the shortwave infrared range at 1550 nm. Furthermore, a logic computing system with light/no light as binary input is designed to convert the current signal to the voltage output. This research not only underscores the versatility of 2D materials in the realm of sophisticated photodetector design but also heralds new avenues for their application in energy-efficient, high-performance optoelectronic devices.
In recent years, with the breakthrough of emerging technologies such as photonic integrated circuits, photodetectors, as a component of many optical and optoelectronic devices, have made great progres
In this work, we report a photodetector fabricated using multilayer MoTe2 to form a p-n homojunction and photovoltaic mechanism. By adopting a poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) ferroelectric field and a semi-floating gate structure composed of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, we successfully reduced the junction length, achieving ultra-low dark current and high-speed response. The unique properties of 2D materials allowed us to modulate doping of electrons or holes simply by applying an electrostatic field. The floating gate part, made of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, effectively shielded the MoTe2 channel from the polarization effects of P(VDF-TrFE), efficiently forming an in-plane p-n junction. Unlike traditional rigid ferroelectric materials like LiNbO3 and BiFeO3, organic ferroelectric copolymers such as P(VDF-TrFE) exhibit exceptional flexibility, transparency, retention, and durability, offering new possibilities for the widespread application of 2D material-based p-n junction

Fig. 1 Characterization and device structure of two-dimensional material detectors:(a) schematic illustration of the device structure;(b) optical image showing the top aluminum electrode used for polarizing the ferroelectric film; (c) Raman spectrum of MoTe2, highlighting its characteristic peaks; (d) atomic force microscope image of the device, with the red and black lines indicating the locations where the height was measured; (e) characterization of the material's thickness
图1 二维材料探测器的表征与器件结构: (a)器件结构示意图;(b)用于使铁电薄膜极化的顶部铝电极的光学图像;(c) MoTe2的拉曼光谱,突出其特征峰;(d)该装置的原子力显微镜图像,红色和黑色线条表示测量高度的位置;(e)材料厚度表征
In the device architecture, the P(VDF-TrFE) layer serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it provides a ferroelectric field which electrostatically dopes the MoTe2, inducing selective doping due to the influence of the graphene and h-BN floating gate, resulting in the formation of a p-n junction. Secondly, the electric field generated by the P(VDF-TrFE) layer modifies the energy bandgap of the MoTe2, thereby extending its spectral respons
In the transfer characteristic curve depicted in

Fig. 2 Device electrical performance characterization: (a) transfer characteristics curve of a FeFET with the channel solely covered by P(VDF-TrFE); (b) transfer characteristics of the FGFeFET and FeFET at the Pup state, with the inset depicting the type of charge carriers in the channel at a back-gate voltage (Vbg) of 0 V; (c) transfer characteristics of the FGFeFET and FeFET at the Pdown state, with the inset indicating the type of charge carriers in the channel at a back-gate voltage (Vbg) of 0 V;(d) the types of most carriers in MoTe2 channel under different polarization conditions; (e) transfer characteristics curve of a SFGFeFET with partial channel coverage by P(VDF-TrFE) and graphene/hexagonal boron nitride; (f) ISD-VSD curves of the SFGFeFET under various gate voltages
图2 器件电学性能表征: (a)通道完全被P(VDF-TrFE)覆盖的FeFET的转移特性曲线;(b) FGFeFET和FeFET在Pup状态下的转移特性,插入图描绘了在0 V的后门电压(Vbg)下通道中的载流子类型;(c) Pdown状态下FGFeFET和FeFET的转移特性,图中插入部分表示0 V电压下通道中电荷载流子的类型;(d)不同极化条件下MoTe2通道中大多数载流子的类型;(e) P(VDF-TrFE)和石墨烯/六方氮化硼覆盖部分通道的SFGFeFET转移特性曲线;(f)不同栅极电压下SFGFeFET的ISD-VSD 曲线
The types of majority carriers in the MoTe2 channels under different polarization states are shown in
To verify the existence of the junction region within our device, we conducted photovoltaic current mapping at zero source-drain bias (=0 V). The scanning photocurrent measurement principle diagram of SFGFeFET device is shown in

Fig. 3 Photocurrent measurement and response characteristics of the device: (a) schematic diagram of scanning photocurrent measurement of a SFGFeFET device; (b) photocurrent mapping at VDS=0 V. Scale bar is 2 μm; (c) ISD-VSD curves of the MoTe2 p–n junction under different laser powers at a wavelength of 520 nm; (d) response curves under different light powers at VDS=0.2 V and λ=1 550 nm; (e) rise and decay times of photocurrent from 10% to 90% under λ=520 nm illumination; (f) power dependency of the short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage under λ=520 nm illumination; (g) power dependency of the photoresponsivity and detectivity under λ=520 nm illumination; (h) compare the response time and dark current density of photodetectors made of in-plane homojunction made of different materials. Different shapes in the figure mean different materials. References: B
图3 器件的光电流测量与响应特性: (a) SFGFeFET器件扫描光电流测量示意图;(b) VDS=0 V时的光电流图。标尺为2 μm;(c) 520 nm波长下不同激光功率下MoTe2 p-n结的ISD-VSD曲线;(d) VDS=0.2 V、λ=1 550 nm时不同光功率下的响应曲线;(e)在λ=520 nm照明下,光电流的上升和衰减时间从10%到90%;(f) λ=520 nm光照下短路电流和开路电压的功率依赖性;(g) λ=520 nm照明下的光响应性和探测性的功率依赖性;(h)比较不同材料平面内均结光电探测器的响应时间和暗电流密度。图中不同的形状代表不同的材料。引用: BP[22,23]; MoSe2[24]; MoTe2[11,25,26]; PbSe2[27]; WSe2[28,29]
As revealed in

Fig. 4 Current characteristics and logic gate functionality of the device: (a) the wavelength of incident light is 1 270 nm, the intensity of incident light is 560 μW, and the current characteristics of different gate and source drain voltages are compared with the dark state. The dashed line is the dark current and the realization is the photocurrent; (b) circuit diagram of the OR gate; (c) logic "OR" gate the output voltage of the four input states. Insert: Equivalent circuit diagram; (d) circuit diagrams for NAND and XOR gates; (e) logic "NAND" gate the output voltage of the four input states. Insert: Equivalent circuit diagram; (f) logic "XOR" gate the output voltage of the four input states
图4 器件的电流特性与逻辑门功能:(a)入射光波长为1 270 nm,入射光强度为560 μW,在暗态下比较不同栅极和源极漏极电压的电流特性。虚线为暗电流,实现为光电流;(b)或门电路图;(c)逻辑“或”门四个输入状态的输出电压。插入:等效电路图;(d) NAND和XOR门的电路图;(e)逻辑“NAND”门控四个输入状态的输出电压。插图:等效电路图;(f)逻辑“异或”门的输出电压的四个输入状态
The MoTe2 p-n junction controlled by semi-floating ferroelectric gate is achieved. The diode exhibits robust rectification characteristics with a rectification ratio exceeding 1
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