Abtract

The emerging semiconductor micro/nanocrystals with intrinsic anisotropy have provided new perspectives for low-cost and simplified polarimetry. However, the low polarization sensitivity of state-of-the-art polarimeters based on anisotropic semiconductors under weak and partially polarized light severely hinders their practical application in complex dim environments. Here, we demonstrate a photo-adaptive polarization-sensitive organic phototransistor (POL-OPT) for bionic weak-light polarization perception. The combination of highly anisotropic organic crystals with charge-storage accumulative effect enables a self-adaptive polarized photoresponse of the phototransistor to imitate the bionic scotopic adaptation process. Consequently, an ultrahigh dichroic ratio of over 10^5 was achieved through time accumulation under an ultraweak light intensity of 200 nW cm−2, which is among the highest in polarization-sensitive photodetectors. Furthermore, POL-OPT array is constructed for effective polarization perception in an artificial moonlit environment with a low degree of linear polarization down to 0.26, reaching the detection threshold of night-active dung beetles. This study offers a new opportunity for the development of new-generation high-performance polarimeters for polarization imaging, bionic navigation, and artificial visual systems.

Click here for details