System and method of modulating electrical signals using photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductors as variable resistors

A method of producing modulated electrical signals comprising:

• providing a voltage source, an output port, and a variable resistor operably connected to the voltage source and the output port so that an electrical signal is produced at the output port by way of the variable resistor, said variable resistor comprising a photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductor material whose conduction response to changes in amplitude of incident radiation is substantially linear throughout a non-saturation region thereof, whereby the variable resistor is operable in non-avalanche mode;
• and
• directing upon the variable resistor amplitude-modulated radiation produced by a modulated radiation source to modulate the conduction response of the variable resistor within the non-saturation region thereof, so that the electrical signal produced at the output port is modulated by the variable resistor so as to have a waveform substantially similar to the amplitude-modulated radiation.

A photoconductivity-modulated variable resistor device comprising:

• a photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductor material (PWBSM) whose conduction response to changes in amplitude of incident radiation is substantially linear throughout a non-saturation region thereof, whereby the PWBSM is operable in non-avalanche mode as a variable resistor;
• and
• a modulated radiation source for producing amplitude-modulated radiation with which to direct upon the PWBSM so that the conduction response induced thereby in the PBWSM is modulated within the non-saturation region thereof, and has a waveform substantially similar to the amplitude-modulated radiation.