2D Material Integrated Photonics: Toward Industrial Manufacturing and Commercialization

Academic Background

With the advent of the information age, integrated circuits (ICs) have become the driving force behind technological advancements. However, traditional integrated photonics platforms, such as silicon and silicon nitride, face numerous limitations in material properties. For instance, silicon’s indirect bandgap restricts its use in laser applications, and its strong two-photon absorption in the near-infrared spectrum limits its performance in nonlinear optical applications. To overcome these limitations, researchers have begun exploring the integration of two-dimensional (2D) materials with exceptional optical properties into photonic chips. 2D materials, such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), and black phosphorus (BP), exhibit ultrahigh carrier mobility, broadband optical response, and layer-dependent tunable bandgaps, offering new solutions for next-generation photonic integrated circuits (PICs).

Despite the tremendous potential demonstrated in laboratory research, the industrial manufacturing and commercialization of 2D materials still face significant challenges. Key issues include achieving large-scale integration, precise patterning, dynamic tuning, and device packaging. This article aims to explore the latest advancements in 2D material integrated photonics and analyze the opportunities and challenges in its industrialization and commercialization.

Source of the Paper

This paper was co-authored by Yuning Zhang, Jiayang Wu, Junkai Hu, Linnan Jia, Di Jin, Baohua Jia, Xiaoyong Hu, David J. Moss, and Qihuang Gong. The authors are affiliated with institutions such as Peking University, Swinburne University of Technology, RMIT University, Shanxi University, and Hefei National Laboratory. The paper was published on April 16, 2025, in the journal APL Photonics, titled “2D Material Integrated Photonics: Toward Industrial Manufacturing and Commercialization.”

Key Points

1. Commercialization Progress of 2D Material Integrated Photonics

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the commercialization of 2D material integrated photonics. 2D materials such as graphene and TMDCs have been successfully applied in various photonic devices, including phase modulators, photodetectors, and optoelectronic mixers. For example, the Photonic Networks and Technologies National Laboratory in Italy demonstrated a 10 Gb/s graphene phase modulator, which outperforms traditional silicon-based devices in modulation depth and efficiency. Additionally, Emberion Corporation introduced a graphene photodetector capable of operating across a broad wavelength range of 400-1800 nm, showcasing the potential of 2D materials in photodetection.

However, despite numerous breakthroughs in laboratory research, the commercialization of 2D materials remains in its early stages. Many 2D materials, such as MXenes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), are still in the research phase and have not yet achieved large-scale production. In the future, closer collaboration between academia and industry will be crucial for advancing the commercialization of 2D material integrated photonics.

2. Advanced Manufacturing Techniques for Industrial Production

The industrial manufacturing of 2D materials involves multiple stages, including large-scale integration, precise patterning, dynamic tuning, and device packaging. In terms of large-scale integration, techniques such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) have been used to produce high-quality 2D films. However, achieving efficient and defect-free transfer of 2D materials remains a challenge. In recent years, researchers have developed various improved transfer techniques, such as dry transfer, wet transfer, and semi-dry transfer, to enhance the efficiency and uniformity of 2D material integration.

For precise patterning, techniques such as photolithography, nanoimprinting, and laser patterning are widely used. For instance, researchers successfully fabricated graphene nanoribbons with widths below 50 nm using photolithography and bottom-up self-expansion techniques. Laser patterning has also been employed to create flat lenses from 2D materials, demonstrating its potential in optical devices.

3. Dynamic Tuning and Device Packaging

Dynamic tuning is a key functionality of 2D material integrated photonic devices. Real-time modulation of the optical and electrical properties of 2D materials can be achieved through external stimuli such as electric fields, lasers, heat, and strain. For example, researchers used ion-gel gating to tune the Fermi level of graphene, thereby altering the chromatic dispersion of a silicon nitride micro-ring resonator.

Device packaging is another critical aspect, as the environmental stability of 2D materials is a major concern. Many 2D materials, such as BP and TMDCs, are highly sensitive to humidity, oxygen, and mechanical stress. To extend device lifespans, researchers have developed various encapsulation techniques, including inorganic molecular crystals, organic polymers, and 2D material encapsulation. For instance, depositing a 6 nm-thick Al2O3 layer on a BP film via atomic layer deposition (ALD) significantly improved its environmental stability.

4. Key Challenges in Commercialization

In the commercialization of 2D material integrated photonics, issues such as standardized manufacturing, product recycling, service life, and environmental impact cannot be overlooked. Currently, the manufacturing processes for 2D materials lack unified protocols and standards, leading to significant variations in material quality and performance. Additionally, recycling and reuse technologies for 2D materials are still underdeveloped, and achieving low-cost recycling while maintaining device performance remains a pressing challenge.

Regarding environmental impact, the synthesis and manufacturing processes of 2D materials can generate toxic gases and wastewater, causing environmental pollution. For example, the synthesis of TMDCs often involves toxic precursors such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and unreacted precursors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during CVD processes can also contaminate air and water. In the future, developing environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques and materials will be essential for promoting the sustainable development of 2D material integrated photonics.

Significance and Value

This article systematically reviews the latest advancements in the industrialization and commercialization of 2D material integrated photonics, analyzing the challenges and opportunities in manufacturing techniques, dynamic tuning, device packaging, and environmental impact. By summarizing existing research, the paper provides valuable insights for future research directions and bridges the gap between academia and industry. The development of 2D material integrated photonics not only holds the potential to enhance the performance of photonic integrated circuits but also promises revolutionary advancements in communication, computing, and sensing applications.

Highlights

The highlights of this article lie in its comprehensiveness and forward-looking perspective. The authors not only summarize the latest advancements in laboratory research on 2D material integrated photonics but also delve into the key issues in its industrialization and commercialization. In particular, the paper provides a detailed analysis of the advantages and limitations of manufacturing techniques such as large-scale integration, precise patterning, dynamic tuning, and device packaging, offering important guidance for future technological development. Additionally, the article emphasizes issues such as standardized manufacturing, product recycling, and environmental impact, reflecting the authors’ profound consideration of the sustainable development of 2D material integrated photonics.

Conclusion

2D material integrated photonics is rapidly transitioning from laboratory research to industrial manufacturing and commercialization. By continuously improving manufacturing techniques, optimizing device performance, extending service life, and reducing environmental impact, 2D material integrated photonics is poised to become a cornerstone of the photonic integrated circuit field. We look forward to closer collaboration between academia and industry to drive the rapid development of this field and contribute to the advancement of information technology.