Piezo-phototronic sensor

A device for detecting light of an intensity, comprising:

• a. a substrate having a first surface;
• b. a piezoelectric nanowire disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the piezoelectric nanowire having a first end and an opposite second end, the piezoelectric nanowire subjected to a predetermined amount of strain that causes the piezoelectric nanowire to allow current to flow therethrough when the light is applied to a first location on the piezoelectric nanowire;
• c. a first Schottky contact in electrical communication with the first end of the piezoelectric nanowire;
• d. a second Schottky contact in electrical communication with the second end of the piezoelectric nanowire;
• e. a bias voltage source configured to impart a bias voltage between the first Schottky contact and the second Schottky contact;
• and
• f. a mechanism configured to measure current flowing through the piezoelectric nanowire, so that the current flowing though the piezoelectric nanowire corresponds to the intensity of light.