(a) a device body made of at least a first region a second region and a third region forming at least one p-n junction thereamongst, said first region being made of a first type semiconductor material and said second and said third regions being made of a second type semiconductor material wherein charge carrier concentrations of said regions of said semiconductor materials are selected such that a current-voltage characteristic of said at least one p-n junction comprises a predetermined reverse breakdown voltage;

(b) at least one layer of molecules deposited on at least one of said regions of said semiconductor materials, said molecules being electrically-responsive to a species-of-interest being at least one of a photon, a chemical substance and a biological material in a manner such that upon exposure of the device to said species-of-interest, said molecules interact with said species-of-interest, and said predetermined reverse breakdown voltage is modified; and

(c) a perforated electrode disposed on said third region and being connectable to a voltage source, for electrically controlling said predetermined reverse breakdown voltage.