We discuss our efforts to use coherence properties of laser beams to influence the directionality of current flow in a bulk, photoexcited semiconductor. By optically coupling a pair of conduction and valence band states via single and two photon absorption events it is theoretically possible to generate an electrical current flow whose directionality depends on the relative phase, and polarization of the two optical beams. The current should maintain itself for the carrier dephasing time, which is typically of the order of 100 fs, a time sufficiently long so that ‘‘all‐optical’’ switching applications can be contemplated. Some specific geometries for detecting the effect are offered.