Zero-Biased and Broadband (0.1–1.5 THz) Terahertz Detector Using Dirac Semimetal-Platinum Telluride (PtTe2)

This letter demonstrates the Dirac semimetal-platinum telluride (PtTe
₂
)-based terahertz detector. The reported detector has a broadband response ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 THz at room temperature. The antenna-coupled PtTe
₂
device can perform at zero bias with a maximum responsivity of 16.4 A/W at 0.2 THz. In contrast, the two fold increase in responsivity is observed with bias (100 mV). Furthermore, even at the highest source frequency (1.5 THz), the detector at zero bias exhibits higher responsivity (6.1 A/W), lower noise-equivalent power (1.5 × 10
⁻¹¹
WHz
^−1/2
), and higher detectivity (5.3 × 10
⁹
cm·Hz
^0.5
/W). Therefore, the proposed PtTe
₂
-based detector manifests better performance than variously reported terahertz detectors. These improved device performances and one mask fabrication process validate their worth for detection and sensing in the terahertz domain.