Toward High‐Performance Infrared Organic Photodetectors

ABSTRACT Infrared organic photodetectors (IR‐OPDs) have emerged as a promising alternative to rigid inorganic devices due to their tunable spectral response, mechanical flexibility, and low‐cost, large‐area processability. However, their performance is limited by fundamental challenges in narrow‐bandgap organic semiconductors, such as inefficient exciton dissociation, severe non‐radiative recombination, and high dark current. This review systematically outlines recent advances in IR‐OPD technology, focusing on material design, device engineering, and fabrication strategies. It discusses key developments in narrow‐bandgap conjugated polymers and small‐molecule acceptors, as well as innovations in multi‐component active layers, heterojunction architectures, and optical microcavities. Through representative case studies, the review illustrates how these strategies have enhanced critical figures of merit, including detectivity, responsivity, and speed. Thereby, new applications in optical communications, health monitoring, and flexible human‐machine interfaces are unlocked. Finally, the review highlights persistent challenges and suggests future research directions, emphasizing the need for integrated material‐device co‐design and scalable fabrication to bridge the gap toward practical implementation. This work aims to serve as a roadmap for researchers developing high‐performance IR‐OPDs for next‐generation optoelectronics.