Photo-FETs: Phototransistors Enabled by 2D and 0D Nanomaterials

The large diversity of applications in our daily lives that rely on photodetection technology requires photodetectors with distinct properties. The choice of an adequate photodetecting system depends on its application, where aspects such as spectral selectivity, speed, and sensitivity play a critical role. High-sensitivity photodetection covering a large spectral range from the UV to IR is dominated by photodiodes. To overcome existing limitations in sensitivity and cost of state-of-the-art systems, new device architectures and material systems are needed with low-cost fabrication and high performance. Low-dimensional nanomaterials (0D, 1D, 2D) are promising candidates with many unique electrical and optical properties and additional functionalities such as flexibility and transparency. In this Perspective, the physical mechanism of photo-FETs (field-effect transistors) is described and recent advances in the field of low-dimensional photo-FETs and hybrids thereof are discussed. Several requirements for ...