Publisher: College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering  

Date: February 22, 2025  

In a significant advancement for the field of photonics, Prof. Li Baojun and Associate Prof. Yang Xianguang from the Nanophotonics Research Institute at Jinan University’s College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering have published a comprehensive paper in the esteemed journal Applied Physics Reviews (Impact Factor 11.9). The paper, which has been selected as a featured article by the journal's editors, presents a systematic summary and detailed analysis of the structure, detection mechanisms, and quality factors of two-dimensional (2D) material polarization-sensitive photodetectors. The first author of the study is postdoctoral fellow Lin Zhitao, with Prof. Li Baojun and Associate Prof. Yang Xianguang serving as corresponding authors.

(Screenshot of the paper)

The research highlights the prevalence of polarized light on Earth's surface, a phenomenon resulting from atmospheric scattering, and emphasizes the importance of detecting this light to extract critical information about phase and polarization angles. Recent years have seen a surge in interest surrounding polarization-sensitive photodetectors that leverage anisotropic 2D materials. The unique properties of these materials stem from their asymmetric crystal lattices, which influence both their optical and electrical behaviors.

The article categorizes various anisotropic 2D materials and provides an insightful overview of their crystal structures. It introduces a range of optical and electrical characterization techniques aimed at elucidating the anisotropic properties of these materials. Furthermore, it details the current state of research on anisotropic 2D material-based polarization-sensitive photodetectors, explaining the working principles behind different structural designs and the mechanisms that confer their polarization sensitivity.

In conclusion, the review summarizes key findings, outlines advancements and challenges in the field, and offers forward-looking recommendations to steer future research and development in the area of 2D material-based polarization-sensitive photodetectors.

For more details, read the full paper here: Applied Physics Reviews

(https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0226193).