Two-Dimensional Material Based Photodetector for Near Infrared Detection

Implementing new materials as alternative to silicon for application in photonic devices has been the center of attention in the scientific community. Two-Dimensional (2D) materials have shown a great capacity to be next alternative to remedy this impediment. Graphene due to its unique properties such as high mobility and optical transparency, in addition to flexibility, robustness and environmental stability is amongst 2D materials to shine in photonics and optoelectronics. Several graphene-based photodetectors with ability to integrate with various energy thermoelectric, electromagnetic and piezoelectric devices is reported. However, pristine graphene is not suitable to detect reasonable signals in infrared region, due to its bandgap limitation. In this work, a graphene based near infrared detection is demonstrated using graphene/metal intercalated graphene photodetector. The intercalated graphene was grown using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on Cu substrate and wet transfer of the layers to the Si/SiO2 substrate. A tapered aluminum microelectrode has been used for the electrical contacts to improve the detection of photogenerated carriers during the illumination. The infrared detection was demonstrated, responsivity and quantum efficiency was tested at room temperature and the mechanism of photogeneration was explained.