Time-resolving high-intensity laser-light detectors: A possible new photoconductive device

High-power laser-light detectors belong to two main categories: integrated-response detectors (joulemeter) or time-resolving detectors (photomultiplier or high-gain fast diodes). It is shown in this paper that photoconductive materials, such as stannic oxide monocrystals, can reconcile the specifications of both categories: mechanical and thermal strength, response time, linearity, and so on.