PHOTOCONDUCTIVE SEMICONDUCTOR LASER DIODES AND LEDS

Ultraviolet light sources such as UV and DUV laser diodes and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are described. The UV light source may comprise at least one quantum well with first and second photoconductive layers on opposite sides thereof. The UV light source may further comprise at least one optical pump configured to direct pump light to the UV light emitter. The pump light may have a photon energy less than the band gap of the at least one quantum well to increase the conductivity of electrons and holes in the first and second photoconductive layers. The electrons and holes can thereby propagate to the quantum well where at least some of the electrons and holes combine resulting in the emission of UV light.