Integrated optics is at the heart of a wide range of systems from remote sensing and communications to computing and quantum information processing. Demand for smaller and more energy efficient structures stimulates a search for more advanced material platforms. Here, we propose a concept of an all van der Waals photonics, where we show that electronically bulk transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) semiconductors are well fitted for the design of key optical components for nanoscale and integrated photonics. Specifically, we demonstrate theoretically that, owing to their unique properties, components made of bulk TMDCs may potentially outperform counterparts made of conventional 3D semiconductors, such as Si and III-Vs. We discuss several key quantum and classical optical components and show that bulk TMDCs may pave the way to smaller footprint devices, more energy efficient electro-optic modulators, and a stronger quantum light–materials interaction. In our study, to account for anisotropic properties of bulk TMDC materials and enhanced light–materials interaction, we develop a theoretical formalism that allows exploring complex structures made of such materials. Enhanced optical performance, ease of integration, and a wide range of materials selection suggest that bulk TMDCs may complement existing integrated photonics systems.

中文翻译：

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所有范德华力集成纳米光子学与体过渡金属双硫属元素化物。

集成光学是从遥感和通信到计算和量子信息处理的各种系统的核心。对更小，更节能的结构的需求刺激了对更先进材料平台的寻求。在这里，我们提出了一种所有范德华光子学的概念，在这里我们表明，电子体过渡金属二卤化硅（TMDC）半导体非常适合用于纳米级和集成光子学的关键光学组件的设计。具体而言，我们从理论上证明，由于其独特的性能，由体块TMDC制成的组件可能会胜过由传统3D半导体（如Si和III-Vs）制成的组件。我们讨论了几种关键的量子和经典光学组件，并表明，大型TMDC可能会为更小尺寸的设备，更节能的电光调制器以及更强的量子光-材料交互作用铺平道路。在我们的研究中，要考虑大块TMDC材料的各向异性和增强的轻质材料相互作用，我们开发了一种理论形式主义，可以探索由此类材料制成的复杂结构。增强的光学性能，易于集成以及广泛的材料选择表明，大型TMDC可以补充现有的集成光子系统。我们开发了一种理论形式主义，可以探索由这种材料制成的复杂结构。增强的光学性能，易于集成以及广泛的材料选择表明，大型TMDC可以补充现有的集成光子系统。我们开发了一种理论形式主义，可以探索由这种材料制成的复杂结构。增强的光学性能，易于集成以及广泛的材料选择表明，大型TMDC可以补充现有的集成光子系统。