Engineering electrode interfaces for telecom-band photodetection in MoS₂/Au heterostructures via sub-band light...

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) layered semiconductors possess immense potential in the design of photonic, electronic, optoelectronic, and sensor devices. However, the sub-bandgap light absorption of TMD in the range from near-infrared (NIR) to short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) is insufficient for applications beyond the bandgap limit. Herein, we report that the sub-bandgap photoresponse of MoS₂/Au heterostructures can be robustly modulated by the electrode fabrication method employed. We observed up to 60% sub-bandgap absorption in the MoS₂/Au heterostructure, which includes the hybridized interface, where the Au layer was applied via sputter deposition. The greatly enhanced absorption of sub-bandgap light is due to the planar cavity formed by MoS₂ and Au; as such, the absorption spectrum can be tuned by altering the thickness of the MoS₂ layer. Photocurrent in the SWIR wavelength range increases due to increased absorption, which means that broad wavelength detection from visible toward SWIR is possible. We also achieved rapid photoresponse (~150 µs) and high responsivity (17 mA W^-1) at an excitation wavelength of 1550 nm. Our findings demonstrate a facile method for optical property modulation using metal electrode engineering and for realizing SWIR photodetection in wide-bandgap 2D materials.