Fiber-Shaped Photodetectors: Fundamentals, Advances, and Perspectives

Fiber-shaped photodetectors (FPDs) have emerged as a highly promising category of wearable optoelectronic devices, distinguished by their unique advantages such as omnidirectional detection capability, exceptional flexibility, weavability, and high integration potential, representing the advanced development of semiconductor fibers. This comprehensive review commences by elucidating the fundamental working principles and critical performance metrics of FPDs, with a particular focus on their responsivity, response speed, and detectivity. Key design strategies are systematically explored, encompassing material selections, device configurations, and advanced fabrication technologies. Following this, a detailed summary of recent advancements in FPDs across various spectral ranges, including ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and multi-band light detection, is provided. Additionally, the review delves into the emerging wearable applications of FPDs, such as health monitoring, optical communication, imaging sensing, and bionic perception. Finally, the current challenges and prospective future directions for the development of high-performance FPDs are outlined, particularly highlighting their integration into smart textiles for next-generation wearable systems. This review aims to furnish researchers and engineers in the field of next-generation wearable electronics with valuable insights and a strategic roadmap for further innovations in the realm of FPDs.