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Detecting light from a wealth of physical degrees of freedom (e.g. wavelength, intensity, polarization state, phase, etc) enables the acquirement of more comprehensive information. In the past two decades, low-dimensional van der Waals materials (vdWMs) have established themselves as transformative building blocks toward lensless polarization optoelectronics, which is highly beneficial for optoelectronic system miniaturization. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the recent development of low-dimensional vdWM polarized photodetectors. To begin with, the exploitation of pristine 1D/2D vdWMs with immanent in-plane anisotropy and related heterostructures for filterless polarization-sensitive photodetectors is introduced. Then, we have systematically epitomized the various strategies to induce polarization photosensitivity and enhance the degree of anisotropy for low-dimensional vdWM photodetectors, including quantum tailoring, construction of core–shell structures, rolling engineering, ferroelectric regulation, strain engineering, etc, with emphasis on the fundamental physical principles. Following that, the ingenious optoelectronic applications based on the low-dimensional vdWM polarized photodetectors, including multiplexing optical communications and enhanced-contrast imaging, have been presented. In the end, the current challenges along with the future prospects of this burgeoning research field have been underscored. On the whole, the review depicts a fascinating landscape for the next-generation high-integration multifunctional optoelectronic systems.

Abstract The distinctive layered crystal structures and diverse properties of 2D layered materials (2DLMs) have established them as prospective building blocks for implementing next‐generation optoelectronics. One critical predicament in terms of light sensing is the weak absorption caused by the atomic‐scale thickness, as well as the limited effective wavelength range/low spectral selectivity constrained by the intrinsic band structures. Despite the fact that numerous noble metal antennas are harnessed for enhancing the light–matter coupling, they suffer from exorbitant cost and narrow resonant optical windows. To this end, a number of non‐noble plasmonic optical antennas have been developed to improve the light‐sensing properties of 2DLM photodetectors, and tremendous advances have been accomplished. Herein, a comprehensive overview of this subject is provided based on four aspects; namely, non‐noble metal antenna promoted 2DLM photodetectors, heteroatom doped semiconductor antenna promoted 2DLM photodetectors, non‐stoichiometric semiconductor antenna promoted 2DLM photodetectors, and MXene antenna promoted 2DLM photodetectors. The focus is on the device structures, preparation, and underlying mechanisms. In the end, the challenges are highlighted, and potential strategies addressing them are proposed, which aim to navigate the upcoming exploration in the related domains and fully exert the pivotal role of non‐noble plasmonic optical antennas toward advancing 2DLM photodetectors.