Abstract: A photoconductor-based electrical switch comprises an element made of photoconductor material possessing two electrodes located. on either side of an active zone, at least one light source emitting at least one light beam illuminating the active zone, the beam having a wavelength corresponding to a level of photon energy lower than the bandgap energy of the photoconductor material, the intensity of the light beam being such that there is a combination of the energy of at least two photons in the photoconductor material, in such a way that a mechanism of two-photon absorption in the photoconductor material contributes to the creation of carriers enabling the photoconductor material to be made conductive.