A total internal reflection photoconductive switch and method of activating such a switch, where the switch includes a pair of electrodes on opposite sides of a photoconductive material having a substantially-rectangular prism geometry. The substantially-rectangular prism geometry includes four edge facets, two opposing electrode-connection facets separated by the edge facets, and at least one input facet located at a corner of the substantially-rectangular prism geometry that is positioned between two edge facets and the two electrode-connection facets, for receiving light therethrough into the photoconductive material at angles supporting total internal reflection.