Photoconductive device with optical concentrator

Abstract

A photonic device having wide bandgap (WBG) materials which change electrical behaviors in response to low-intensity light is disclosed. The device comprises an optical waveguide located in an optical path of light to receive the light and to spatially confine the received light as guided light at a higher optical intensity than the received light; a wide bandgap (WBG) material located in an optical path of the guided light output by the optical waveguide; and two electrodes formed at two different locations on the WBG material to provide two electrical contacts of an electrical path within the WBG material, wherein the WBG material exhibits an electrical conductivity that varies with a level of the guided light output by the optical waveguide to turn on or off the electrical path between the two electrodes.