Twisted two-dimensional materials (t2DMs) such as graphene and black phosphorus are transforming the field of photonics, serving as a promising platform for the development of advanced devices that manipulate light. These materials possess multiple photonic properties that are determined by their twist angles. This article explores the profound impact of twist angles on various photonic phenomena, including nonlinear optical responses, optical absorption, plasmonics, and the influence of chirality in t2DMs. We delve into cutting-edge developments explained through Raman spectroscopy and the intriguing world of moiré excitons, as revealed through photoluminescence studies. As we explore device applications, we highlight groundbreaking advancements in photodetection, with a brief look into emerging technologies such as single-photon detectors, ultrafast modulators, light-emitting diodes, and interlayer exciton lasers. Our study extends to depict the promising future of t2DMs, emphasizing their prospective integration with other photonic systems and the discovery of novel optical phenomena in the domain of photonics. This review serves as a comprehensive guide to the dynamic field of photonics in t2DMs, highlighting current achievements and future prospects.

The authors acknowledge the support provided by the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2020A1515110488) and the Scientific Key Research Fund of Guangdong Provincial Education Department (2019KZDXM061, 2019KQNCX099, 2020ZDZX2059, 2021ZDZX1038).

With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000917-S).

Peer reviewed