Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method for operating a photodiode device, which device comprises: at least one layer of an n-doped semiconductor material; two portions of a dielectric material separately disposed over separate regions of the at least one layer of the n-doped semiconductor material; at least one monolayer of a carbon-based material disposed between the two portions of dielectric material and over the at least one layer of the n-doped semiconductor material; two terminal electrodes, each electrode disposed in electrical communication with a respective one of the portions of dielectric material; and a gate electrode in electrical communication with the at least one layer of the n-doped semiconductor material. The method comprises: applying a voltage across the gate electrode and one of the two terminal electrodes; and exposing the photodiode device to electromagnetic radiation.