Scalable Terahertz Room Temperature Photoreceivers Based on Large-Area Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Graphene Heterostructures

Abstract

The development of scalable techniques for large-area growth of layered materials unlocks technological opportunities for the implementation of devices and components suitable for on-chip integration on photonic integrated platforms. Here, terahertz (THz) photoreceivers based on large-area hexagonal boron nitride/single-layer graphene (SLG)/hexagonal boron nitride heterostructures, prepared by chemical vapor deposition and realized by means of an industrially scalable method, are reported. The photo-thermoelectric sensors are integrated on-chip with planar antennas, on-chip radio frequency circuitry, a low-pass hammer-head filter and coplanar strip lines, combining nanosecond response time and large sensitivity. Room temperature responsivities of ≈4 V W⁻¹, with noise equivalent power ≈4 nWHz^−1/2 at high (2.86 THz) frequencies are reached, in a fully frequency-scalable architecture. This paves the way for multiplexed hyperspectral THz cameras and optical communication systems.