Strong mid-infrared photoresponse in small-twist-angle bilayer graphene

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a gate-tunable, strong mid-infrared photoresponse in small-twist-angle bilayer graphene, highlighting its potential for tunable optoelectronic applications in the 5-12 μm wavelength range.

Contribution

It reveals the strong, tunable photoresponse in small-twist-angle bilayer graphene and links it to the formation of superlattice bandgap, a novel optoelectronic property.

Findings

Maximum photoresponsivity of 26 mA/W at 12 μm.

Photoresponse depends on superlattice bandgap formation.

Photoresponse vanishes in ultrasmall twist angles (< 0.5°).

Abstract

Recently the small-twist-angle (< 2{\deg}) bilayer graphene has received extraordinary attentions due to its exciting physical properties. Compared with monolayer graphene, the Brillouin zone folding in twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) leads to the formation of superlattice bandgap and significant modification of density of states. However, these emerging properties have rarely been leveraged for the realization of new optoelectronic devices. Here we demonstrate the strong, gate-tunable photoresponse in mid-infrared wavelength range of 5 to 12 um. A maximum extrinsic photoresponsivity of 26 mA/W has been achieved at 12 um when the Fermi level in a 1.81{\deg} TBG is tuned to its superlattice bandgap. Moreover, the strong photoresponse critically depends on the formation of superlattice bandgap, and it vanishes in the gapless case with ultrasmall twist angle (< 0.5{\deg}). Our demonstration reveals the promising optical properties of TBG and provides an alternative material platform for tunable mid-infrared optoelectronics.