Progress and prospect of terahertz detectors based on two-dimensional materials

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) wave is a kind of electromagnetic wave with unique physical properties. Therefore, THz technology has a broad application prospect including fundamental science, biomedicine, security imaging and communication. THz detectors are key component of THz systems, and high-performance THz detectors are crucial for the practical application of THz technology. The discovery of two-dimensional(2D) materials, such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), and black phosphorus (BP), has triggered an unprecedented interest in 2D material-based THz detectors. Because of their unique band structures and extraordinary photoelectric properties, the versatility of 2D materials makes it possible to achieve sensitive THz detection at room temperature. Herein, the recent progress on 2D material-based THz detectors is reviewed. Firstly, the basic properties of 2D materials, including the interaction with THz wave, are introduced. Then the fundamental principles of THz detection mechanisms are thoroughly discussed. Next, the major progresses of 2D material-based THz detectors in the past decades as well as the present methods to improve detector performance are summarized. After that, a comparison of 2D material-based detectors and commercial ones is introduced. Finally, the remaining challenges and perspectives of 2D material-based THz detectors are presented briefly.