Multi-dimensional optical information acquisition based on a misaligned unipolar barrier photodetector

Abstract

Acquiring multi-dimensional optical information, such as intensity, spectrum, polarization, and phase, can significantly enhance the performance of photodetectors. Incorporating these dimensions allows for improved image contrast, enhanced recognition capabilities, reduced interference, and better adaptation to complex environments. However, the challenge lies in obtaining these dimensions on a single photodetector. Here we propose a misaligned unipolar barrier photodetector based on van der Waals heterojunction to address this issue. This structure enables spectral detection by switching between two absorbing layers with different cut-off wavelengths for dual-band detection. For polarization detection, anisotropic semiconductors like black phosphorus and black arsenic phosphorus inherently possess polarization-detection capabilities without additional complex elements. By manipulating the crystal direction of these materials during heterojunction fabrication, the device becomes sensitive to incident light at different polarization angles. This research showcases the potential of the misaligned unipolar barrier photodetector in capturing multi-dimensional optical information, paving the way for next-generation photodetectors.