Acoustoelectric control of optoelectronic anisotropy for reconfigurable polarimetry.

Abstract

Harnessing light polarization provides a powerful degree of freedom for optical communications, imaging, and sensing. Two-dimensional (2D) anisotropic semiconductors have emerged as a promising platform for miniaturized on-chip polarimetry; however, their polarization responses remain constrained by intrinsic crystal symmetries and static device geometries, limiting functional tunability. Here, we demonstrate continuous and dynamic control over optoelectronic anisotropy in a 2D rhenium disulfide semiconductor through acoustoelectric coupling with surface acoustic waves (SAWs). SAW propagation through the semiconducting channel substantially enhances the photovoltage response via an acousto-drag photovoltaic mechanism. This acoustoelectric coupling not only amplifies the global photoresponse but also continuously rotates its polarization symmetry axis-shifting from the intrinsic orientation of the rhenium disulfide crystal to that of the lithium niobate substrate-as the acoustic power increases. Crucially, by adopting a machine learning algorithm, i.e., random forest, we achieve independent and simultaneous detection of both optical power and linear polarization angle within a planar, integrated device. These findings establish a previously unknown paradigm in acoustoelectronics for dynamically reconfigurable polarimetry, mediated by hybrid phonon-charge interactions in 2D materials.