Ultrasensitive negative capacitance phototransistors

Sensitive photodetection is crucial for modern optoelectronic technology. Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with unique crystal structure, and extraordinary electrical and optical properties is a promising candidate for ultrasensitive photodetection. Previously reported methods to improve the performance of MoS2 photodetectors have focused on complex hybrid systems in which leakage paths and dark currents inevitably increase, thereby reducing the photodetectivity. Here, we report an ultrasensitive negative capacitance (NC) MoS2 phototransistor with a layer of ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide film in the gate dielectric stack. The prototype photodetectors demonstrate a hysteresis-free ultra-steep subthreshold slope of 17.64 mV/dec and ultrahigh photodetectivity of 4.75 × 1014 cm Hz1/2 W−1 at room temperature. The enhanced performance benefits from the combined action of the strong photogating effect induced by ferroelectric local electrostatic field and the voltage amplification based on ferroelectric NC effect. These results address the key challenges for MoS2 photodetectors and offer inspiration for the development of other optoelectronic devices.