Abstract: Various apparatus and methods for enhancing hot-electron luminescence in an integrated circuit are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a first circuit device coupled to a first voltage source that is operable to bias the first circuit device to a first voltage, and a second circuit device that has a first input coupled to the first voltage source and a junction defining a first side and a second side. One of the first and second sides is coupled to a second voltage source that is independent of the first voltage source and capable of selectively biasing the one of the first and second sides at a second voltage higher than the first voltage. The second device is operable to emit a hot-electron induced photon upon entry into saturation.