Flat-band quantum materials empowering self-adapted ultrabroadband detectors

Jialin Li, Xun Ge, Junjian Mi, Hailu Wang, Jiachang Chen, Runzhi He, Fang Zhong, Mengwen Zhan, Cong Hu, Zhen Wang, Xiaohao Zhou, Xiangfan Xu, Zhuan Xu, Piotr Martyniuk, Antoni Rogalski, Fang Wang, Peng Wang, Zhongkai Liu, Qing Li (), Linjun Li () and Weida Hu ()
Additional contact information
Jialin Li: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xun Ge: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Junjian Mi: Zhejiang University
Hailu Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiachang Chen: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Runzhi He: Tongji University
Fang Zhong: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Mengwen Zhan: ShanghaiTech University
Cong Hu: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhen Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiaohao Zhou: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiangfan Xu: Tongji University
Zhuan Xu: Zhejiang University
Piotr Martyniuk: Military University of Technology
Antoni Rogalski: Military University of Technology
Fang Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Peng Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhongkai Liu: ShanghaiTech University
Qing Li: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Linjun Li: Zhejiang University
Weida Hu: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Blackbody-sensitive room-temperature photodetectors with ultrabroadband response from the short to very long-wave infrared (VLWIR) range are highly desirable for optical communication, industrial gas leakage detection, night vision, and atmosphere surveillance. Although two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors with narrow bandgaps have shown promise in uncooled short and mid-wave infrared (SWIR and MWIR) detection, achieving blackbody responses extending to long-wave infrared (LWIR) or even the VLWIR region at room temperature remains a challenge. Here, we report a bioinspired room-temperature blackbody-sensitive self-adapted ultrabroadband detector utilizing the 2D flat-band quantum material Nb3I8, engineered through an electronic and phononic band strategy. Our study reveals that Nb3I8 exhibits enhanced SWIR absorption due to electron flat-bands induced high density of states (DOS) and dipole transition probability. Owing to its strong anharmonicity with phonon flat-band characteristics, the phonon propagation is prohibited, which contributes to low thermal conductivity and enhances the heat localization, resulting in a sensitive bolometric response to blackbody radiation from λ = 2.5 μm to 20 μm. Our work not only represents a breakthrough for 2D materials with room-temperature LWIR–VLWIR blackbody detection ability, but also paves the way for implementing blackbody-sensitive ultrabroadband photodetectors by exploiting flat-band quantum materials.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63983-1

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