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Multidimensional detection enabled by twisted black arsenic–phosphorus homojunctions

Nature Nanotechnology volume 19, pages 455–462 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

A light field carrying multidimensional optical information, including but not limited to polarization, intensity and wavelength, is essential for numerous applications such as environmental monitoring, thermal imaging, medical diagnosis and free-space communications. Simultaneous acquisition of this multidimensional information could provide comprehensive insights for understanding complex environments but remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate a multidimensional optical information detection device based on zero-bias double twisted black arsenic–phosphorus homojunctions, where the photoresponse is dominated by the photothermoelectric effect. By using a bipolar and phase-offset polarization photoresponse, the device operated in the mid-infrared range can simultaneously detect both the polarization angle and incident intensity information through direct measurement of the photocurrents in the double twisted black arsenic–phosphorus homojunctions. The device’s responsivity makes it possible to retrieve wavelength information, typically perceived as difficult to obtain. Moreover, the device exhibits an electrically tunable polarization photoresponse, enabling precise distinction of polarization angles under low-intensity light exposure. These demonstrations offer a promising approach for simultaneous detection of multidimensional optical information, indicating potential for diverse photonic applications.

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Fig. 1: Device configuration and working principle of the MIR polarization photodetectors based on double twisted b-AsP homojunctions.
Fig. 2: Simultaneous detection of polarization angle and incident intensity with the double twisted b-AsP homojunctions.
Fig. 3: Wavelength-dependent polarization detection of the double twisted b-AsP homojunctions.
Fig. 4: Electrically tunable polarization detection of the double twisted b-AsP homojunctions.
Fig. 5: Demonstration of multidimensional optical information imaging.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available within the main text and Supplementary Information. Any other relevant data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Source data are provided with this paper.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE-T2EP50120-0009 (Q.J.W.)), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) (A18A7b0058 (Q.J.W.), M22K2c0080 (Q.J.W.) and A2090b0144 (Q.J.W.)), the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) (award number MOH-000927 (Q.J.W.)) and the National Research Foundation Singapore (award number NRF-CRP22-2019-0007 (Q.J.W.)).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Fakun Wang, Song Zhu, Wenduo Chen, Jiayue Han, Chongwu Wang, Mingjin Dai, Fangyuan Sun, Yuhao Jin & Qi Jie Wang

  2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Ruihuan Duan

  3. Centre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Qi Jie Wang

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  1. Fakun Wang
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Contributions

Q.J.W. supervised the project. F.W. designed and fabricated the devices. F.W., S.Z., W.C. and J.H. performed the device characterizations. S.Z., W.C., R.D., C.W., M.D., F.S. and Y.J. provided experimental testing support. F.W. analysed the data and drafted the manuscript. Q.J.W. revised the manuscript. All authors have discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Qi Jie Wang.

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Supplementary Information

Supplementary Figs. 1–25, Notes 1–4 and Table 1.

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Source data for the plot in Fig. 3.

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Source data for the plot in Fig. 4.

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Source data for the plot in Fig. 5.

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Wang, F., Zhu, S., Chen, W. et al. Multidimensional detection enabled by twisted black arsenic–phosphorus homojunctions. Nat. Nanotechnol. 19, 455–462 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-023-01593-y

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