Van der Waals photonic integrated circuit with coherent light generation

Abstract Two-dimensional semiconductors hold great potential as coherent light sources for photonic integrated circuits. However, the conventional integration of two-dimensional materials onto silicon photonics introduces significant structural and optoelectronic drawbacks, hindering the practical r...

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Main Authors: Tianhua Ren, Andrés Granados del Águila, Zhaolong Chen, Qianhui Xu, Xuehong Zhou, Rui Duan, Magdalena Grzeszczyk, Xiao Gong, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Kostya S. Novoselov, Maciej Koperski, Handong Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60778-2
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author Tianhua Ren
Andrés Granados del Águila
Zhaolong Chen
Qianhui Xu
Xuehong Zhou
Rui Duan
Magdalena Grzeszczyk
Xiao Gong
Kenji Watanabe
Takashi Taniguchi
Kostya S. Novoselov
Maciej Koperski
Handong Sun
author_facet Tianhua Ren
Andrés Granados del Águila
Zhaolong Chen
Qianhui Xu
Xuehong Zhou
Rui Duan
Magdalena Grzeszczyk
Xiao Gong
Kenji Watanabe
Takashi Taniguchi
Kostya S. Novoselov
Maciej Koperski
Handong Sun
author_sort Tianhua Ren
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Two-dimensional semiconductors hold great potential as coherent light sources for photonic integrated circuits. However, the conventional integration of two-dimensional materials onto silicon photonics introduces significant structural and optoelectronic drawbacks, hindering the practical realization of coherent photonic circuits. Here, we introduce the concept of a van der Waals photonic integrated circuit, which is a complete on-chip optical system fabricated entirely from a van der Waals heterostructure. By combining multifunctional two-dimensional materials into a single heterostructure, we realize a fully functional photonic circuitry capable of benchtop coherent light generation, propagation, transmission, and modulation via a silicon back gate. The monolithic approach to heterostructure circuitry supports the effective integration of various photonic components based on two-dimensional materials with stable electro-optic interconnections. The coherence of light emission is systematically verified by second-order correlation experiments at room temperature, showing a clear power-dependent transition to a Poissonian regime. Our work establishes a pathway for coherent van der Waals photonics incorporated with standard silicon manufacturing processes.
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issn 2041-1723
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record_format Article
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spelling doaj-art-4176da2224884db98fec99ef01c703262025-08-20T03:37:37ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-011611810.1038/s41467-025-60778-2Van der Waals photonic integrated circuit with coherent light generationTianhua Ren0Andrés Granados del Águila1Zhaolong Chen2Qianhui Xu3Xuehong Zhou4Rui Duan5Magdalena Grzeszczyk6Xiao Gong7Kenji Watanabe8Takashi Taniguchi9Kostya S. Novoselov10Maciej Koperski11Handong Sun12Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, University of MacauInstitute of Materials Science (ICMUV), University of ValenciaInstitute for Functional Intelligent Materials, National University of SingaporeDivision of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological UniversityDivision of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological UniversityInstitute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, University of MacauInstitute for Functional Intelligent Materials, National University of SingaporeCentre for Advanced 2D Materials, National University of SingaporeResearch Center for Electronic and Optical Materials, National Institute for Materials ScienceResearch Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials ScienceInstitute for Functional Intelligent Materials, National University of SingaporeInstitute for Functional Intelligent Materials, National University of SingaporeInstitute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, University of MacauAbstract Two-dimensional semiconductors hold great potential as coherent light sources for photonic integrated circuits. However, the conventional integration of two-dimensional materials onto silicon photonics introduces significant structural and optoelectronic drawbacks, hindering the practical realization of coherent photonic circuits. Here, we introduce the concept of a van der Waals photonic integrated circuit, which is a complete on-chip optical system fabricated entirely from a van der Waals heterostructure. By combining multifunctional two-dimensional materials into a single heterostructure, we realize a fully functional photonic circuitry capable of benchtop coherent light generation, propagation, transmission, and modulation via a silicon back gate. The monolithic approach to heterostructure circuitry supports the effective integration of various photonic components based on two-dimensional materials with stable electro-optic interconnections. The coherence of light emission is systematically verified by second-order correlation experiments at room temperature, showing a clear power-dependent transition to a Poissonian regime. Our work establishes a pathway for coherent van der Waals photonics incorporated with standard silicon manufacturing processes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60778-2
spellingShingle Tianhua Ren
Andrés Granados del Águila
Zhaolong Chen
Qianhui Xu
Xuehong Zhou
Rui Duan
Magdalena Grzeszczyk
Xiao Gong
Kenji Watanabe
Takashi Taniguchi
Kostya S. Novoselov
Maciej Koperski
Handong Sun
Van der Waals photonic integrated circuit with coherent light generation
Nature Communications
title Van der Waals photonic integrated circuit with coherent light generation
title_full Van der Waals photonic integrated circuit with coherent light generation
title_fullStr Van der Waals photonic integrated circuit with coherent light generation
title_full_unstemmed Van der Waals photonic integrated circuit with coherent light generation
title_short Van der Waals photonic integrated circuit with coherent light generation
title_sort van der waals photonic integrated circuit with coherent light generation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60778-2
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