ACOUSTIC CHARGE TRANSPORT DEVICE HAVING DIRECT OPTICAL INPUT

A novel heterostructure acoustic charge transport (HACT) device is capable of direct optical modulation. The device includes a transducer fabricated on a substrate structure that launches surface acoustic waves. A reflector is formed in the substrate structure at an end portion adjacent to the transducer for reflecting the surface acoustic waves. Also included is an electrode configured with the transport channel at an end thereof distal to the transducer for generating electrical signal equivalents of the propagating electrode charge. The device is characterized by a transport channel with an intrinsic vertical electrical potential such that electron-hole pairs created by incident electromagnetic radiation are separated from one another before recombination, with electrical charges therefrom provided to the surface acoustic waves.