Recent advances in 2D materials-based infrared photodetectors highlighting progress and future prospects

Abstract

Infrared (IR) photodetectors are essential for a wide range of applications, including optical communication, night vision, and environmental monitoring. The advent of 2D materials, which have distinctive layered atomic structures, has opened up new possibilities in the fields of electronics and optoelectronic. The rapid progress regarding developing IR photodetectors that are based on 2D materials highlights their potential to revolutionize this technology. This review comprehensively explores the recent advancements in infrared (IR) photodetectors that utilize 2D materials and their van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures to analyze the different detection mechanisms that are employed in IR photodetectors. The review also addresses the crucial performance parameters that define photodetectors' effectiveness, including responsivity, specific detectivity, and noise characteristics. The various applications of IR photodetectors are also explained, including shortwave infrared light detection for medical imaging, infrared multispectral imaging, and high-frequency & ultra-fast infrared detection. Furthermore, the review discusses the challenges and future outlook for material and device optimization, which includes strategies for hybrid material integration, noise characterization, and scalable production. By examining key performance metrics and comparing various 2D materials, this review aims to offer a blueprint for advancing infrared photodetection research and development, which ultimately paves the way for low-cost, high-performance, and scalable IR sensing technologies.