Graphene-based intelligent quantum sensor can simultaneously detect the intensity, polarization and wavelength of light

A team of researchers from Yale University, The University of Texas at Dallas and the National Institute for Materials Science in Tsukuba, Japan, has built a graphene-based intelligent sensor that can simultaneously detect the intensity, polarization and wavelength of light, tapping into the quantum properties of electrons. The team estimates this breakthrough could help advance the fields of astronomy, health care, and remote sensing.

The researchers used twisted double bilayer graphene (TDBG)—that is, two atomic layers of natural stacked carbon atoms given a slight rotational twist—to build their sensing device. The twist reportedly reduces the crystal symmetry, and materials with atomic structures that are less symmetrical—in many cases—promise some intriguing physical properties that aren't found in those with greater symmetry.

With this device, the researchers were able to detect a strong presence of what is known as bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE), a process that converts light into electricity, giving a response strongly dependent on the light intensity, polarization and wavelength. The researchers found that the BPVE in TDBG can further be tuned by external electrical means, which allowed them to create "2D fingerprints" of the photovoltages for each different incident light.

Shaofan Yuan, co-lead author of the study, had the idea to apply a convolutional neural network (CNN), a type of artificial neural network previously used for image recognition, to decipher these fingerprints. From there, they were able to demonstrate an intelligent photodetector.

Its small size makes it potentially valuable for applications such as deep space exploration, in-situ medical tests and remote sensing on autonomous vehicles or aircrafts. Moreover, the work reveals a new pathway for the investigation of nonlinear optics based on moiré materials.

"Ideally, one single intelligent device can replace several bulky, complex and expensive optical elements that are used to capture the information of light, dramatically saving space and cost," said Chao Ma, co-lead author of the study.