Ultimate limit in size and performance of WSe(2) vertical diodes

Precise doping-profile engineering in van der Waals heterostructures is a key element to promote optimal device performance in various electrical and optical applications with two-dimensional layered materials. Here, we report tungsten diselenide- (WSe(2)) based pure vertical diodes with atomically defined p-, i- and n-channel regions. Externally modulated p- and n-doped layers are respectively formed on the bottom and the top facets of WSe(2) single crystals by direct evaporations of high and low work-function metals platinum and gadolinium, thus forming atomically sharp p–i–n heterojunctions in the homogeneous WSe(2) layers. As the number of layers increases, charge transport through the vertical WSe(2) p–i–n heterojunctions is characterized by a series of quantum tunneling events; direct tunneling, Fowler–Nordheim tunneling, and Schottky emission tunneling. With optimally selected WSe(2) thickness, our vertical heterojunctions show superb diode characteristics of an unprecedentedly high current density and low turn-on voltages while maintaining good current rectification.