Abstract: The present invention provides a photodetector having an advantageous combination of sensitivity and speed; it has a high sensitivity while retaining high speed. In a preferred embodiment, visible light is detected, but in some embodiments, x-rays can be detected, and in other embodiments infrared can be detected. The present invention comprises a photodetector having an active layer, and a recombination layer. The active layer has a surface exposed to light to be detected, and comprises a semiconductor, having a bandgap graded so that carriers formed due to interaction of the active layer with the incident radiation tend to be swept away from the exposed surface. The graded semiconductor material in the active layer preferably comprises Al.sub.1-x Ga.sub.x As. An additional sub-layer of graded In.sub.1-y Ga.sub.y As may be included between the Al.sub.1-x Ga.sub.x As layer and the recombination layer.

Abstract: Isotope separation, particularly separation of isotopes of lithium, is achieved by exposing a beam of atoms to radiation that selectively excites atoms of a particular isotope without exciting atoms of other isotopes of that element. The excited atoms are ionized by solar radiation and the ions attracted to an ion collector plate maintained at a negative potential. The atoms not ionized are condensed on a grounded atom collector plate. Optionally, the solar radiation not absorbed by the system may be used to generate electricity. Lithium isotopes are useful in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons.