Sub-pA dark current infrared photodetection enabled by polarized water-intercalated heterojunctions
Barrier detectors such as nBn and pBp architectures (formed by a n- or p-type contact layer, a barrier layer and a n- or p-type absorber) aim to block one carrier type while allowing the other to pass, but require complex hetero-integration and precise band engineering. Here, we propose an ultra-thin polar barrier strategy using a 0.75 nm water-intercalated WSe<sub>2</sub>/H<sub>2</sub>O/PdSe<sub>2</sub> heterostructure. The confined water layer forms a clean, well-ordered interface and further generates a precisely oriented polarization field that depletes electrons in WSe<sub>2</sub>, significantly suppressing dark current to sub-pA levels across all biases, while enabling efficient tunneling of photogenerated holes. The device shows broadband photoresponse from the ultraviolet to mid-wave infrared (MWIR), with a room-temperature average detectivity exceeding 10¹⁰ cm Hz¹<sup>/</sup>² W⁻¹ in the MWIR. It also features ultrafast response (~3 μs), polarization light sensitivity, and two-year stability. Our work establishes a platform for high-performance infrared photodetection via van der Waals gap engineering.
Authors
- Shuimei Ding (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2775-3023)
- Chao Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8599-9340)
- Xingqiang Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3598-8755)
- Yawei Lv (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4217-8830)
- Lei Liao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1325-2410)
- Long Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9493-3148)
- Xuming Zou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4553-6338)
- Enge Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5624-5320)
- Fang Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3044-0571)
- Xin Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6686-1645)
- Xudong Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0261-6736)
- Chang Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4708-4470)
- Sen Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3564-1624)
- Yuan Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0024-9290)
- Peng Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7287-7595)
- Lin Tang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6996-7955)
- Yilu Qin
- Xu Pan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5995-8710)
- Shihao Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3203-2591)
Institutions
- Hunan University (CN)
- Peking University (CN)
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-04-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59211-5
- Citations
- 9
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Semiconductor Detectors and Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.57
Funders
- China National Funds for Distinguished Young Scientists
- National Key Research and Development Program of China