Collaborative optimization of novel functional materials and metasurfaces: Performance enhancement of photodetectors

Photodetectors (PDs) serve as a fundamental enabling technology and are indispensable in numerous applications. Recent advances in novel functional materials and metasurface technologies are paving the way for revolutionary improvements in PD performance, functionality, and integration. Functional materials, characterized by their unique band structures, broad spectral response, and high carrier mobility, can significantly improve detector sensitivity, response speed, and spectral selectivity. Similarly, metasurfaces empower precise electromagnetic wave manipulation and customized light-field control through subwavelength micro/nanostructures. The synergy between these two fields has overcome the constraints of traditional PD design. While numerous reviews have surveyed advances from the perspective of either materials or metasurfaces in isolation, a holistic approach that integrates both is increasingly critical in both research and practical applications, leading to significant breakthroughs. This review bridges this gap by providing a comprehensive overview of recent advances achieved through the synergistic optimization of PDs. Beginning with fundamental principles, we systematically elucidate the enhancement mechanisms of this composite system on core performance metrics, including temporal response, spectral response, and dark current suppression, and explore its potential for intelligent functional integration. This review concludes by discussing future challenges and opportunities from a manufacturability standpoint, offering guidance for innovative cross-disciplinary applications.