A PHOTODETECTOR AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PHOTOCURRENT USING THE PHOTODETECTOR

摘要

The present invention relates to a photodetector, comprising a semiconducting optical waveguide arranged to upon illumination produce photo-generated charge carriers, such that an electrical potential difference is formed between two electrodes that are connected to the waveguide. The waveguide comprises a charge carrier separator separating first and second portions of the waveguide, the charge carrier separator is configured to pass charge carriers of a first type and to block charge carriers of a second type, the second type being different from the first type. The waveguide is arranged to upon illumination form a waveguide charge generating region within the first or within the second portion of the waveguide, wherein the charge carrier separator comprises a separator material having a bandgap larger than a first material forming the first portion of the waveguide and a bandgap larger than a second material forming the second portion of the waveguide.