Polarization‐Resolved p‐Se/n‐WS2 Heterojunctions toward Application in Microcomputer System as Multivalued Signal Trigger

Abstract Polarization‐sensitive photodetectors based on van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWH) have excellent polarization‐resolved optoelectronic properties that can enable the applications in polarized light identification and imaging. With the development of optical microcomputer control systems (OMCS), it is crucial and energy efficient to adopt the self‐powered and polarization‐resolved signal‐generators to optimize the circuit design of OMCS. In this work, the selenium (Se) flakes with in‐plane anisotropy and p‐type character are grown and incorporated with n‐type tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ) to construct the type‐II vdWH for polarization‐sensitive and self‐powered photodetectors. Under 405 nm monochrome laser with 1.33 mW cm −2 power density, the photovoltaic device exhibits superior photodetection performance with the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.6%, the responsivity ( R ) of 196 mA W −1 and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of about 60%. The strong in‐plane anisotropy of Se crystal structure gives rise to the capability of polarized light detection with anisotropic photocurrent ratio of ≈2.2 under the 405 nm laser (13.71 mW cm −2 ). Benefiting from the well polarization‐sensitive and photovoltaic properties, the p‐Se/n‐WS 2 vdWH is successfully applied in the OMCS as multivalued signal trigger. This work develops the new anisotropic vdWH and demonstrates its feasibility for applications in logic circuits and control systems.