Broadband few-layer MoTe₂photodetectors for array

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optoelectronics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• High-performance broadband photodetector arrays are essential for sensing, imaging, and optical communication.
• Existing materials often struggle to achieve broadband coverage, fast response, and uniform performance simultaneously.
• Scalable fabrication methods for such advanced photodetectors are highly sought after.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel 3 × 5 photodetector array utilizing few-layer molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2).
• To demonstrate the broadband photoresponse capabilities of MoTe2-based photodetectors.
• To evaluate the performance metrics including responsivity, detectivity, and response speed.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 3 × 5 photodetector array using few-layer MoTe2.
• Growth of MoTe2 via the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method.
• Characterization of the photodetector's photoresponse spectrum, responsivity, detectivity, and response/recovery times.

Main Results:

• The MoTe2 photodetector array demonstrated a stable photoresponse across the ultraviolet to near-infrared spectrum.
• Key performance metrics include a responsivity (R) of 3.82 mA W⁻¹, external quantum efficiency of 1.17%, and detectivity (D*) of 1.62 × 10⁷ Jones.
• The device exhibited millisecond-scale response and recovery times across its entire photoresponse range.

Conclusions:

• Few-layer MoTe2 is a promising material for constructing high-performance broadband photodetector arrays.
• The developed MoTe2 photodetector array offers a feasible route for integrated optoelectronic systems.
• This work highlights the potential of a single material to meet diverse photodetector array requirements.