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Recent Advances in Topological Materials for Photodetection
Tongyu Wang1, Cong Chen1,2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Smart Power Distribution Equipment and System, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|May 6, 2026
Summary
Topological materials offer unique advantages for photodetectors, enabling broadband detection and ultrafast responses. This review highlights their progress and future potential in infrared and terahertz applications.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Topological materials possess nontrivial band structures and protected boundary states.
- These properties lead to unique electronic and light-matter interactions, distinct from conventional semiconductors.
- Advances in topological insulators, semimetals, and superconductors have spurred their use in photodetection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review research progress on topological materials for photodetection.
- To emphasize the impact of topological states on photocarrier transport and photoelectric mechanisms.
- To analyze how topological properties enhance photodetector performance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on topological materials in photodetection.
- Analysis of the role of topological surface and bulk states in photocarrier dynamics.
- Summary of device architectures, performance metrics, and response mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Topological photodetectors demonstrate broadband photoresponse across visible, infrared, and terahertz ranges.
- Key advantages include high carrier mobility, ultrafast response speeds, and potential room-temperature operation.
- Topological properties significantly enhance device performance through unique transport phenomena.
Conclusions:
- Topological materials show great promise for advanced photodetector applications.
- Challenges include material synthesis, dark current suppression, and device stability.
- Future directions involve infrared, terahertz, and novel photodetection technologies.
