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Title: Photochemical isotope separation

Abstract

A process is described for separating isotopes by selective excitation of isotopic species of a volatile compound by tuned laser light. A highly cooled gas of the volatile compound is produced in which the isotopic shift is sharpened and defined. Before substantial condensation occurs, the cooled gas is irradiated with laser light precisely tuned to a desired wavelength to selectively excite a particular isotopic species in the cooled gas. The laser light may impart sufficient energy to the excited species to cause it to undergo photochemical reaction or even to photoionize. Alternatively, a two-photon irradiation may be applied to the cooled gas to induce photochemical reaction or photoionization. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of isotopes of uranium and plutonium. 8 figs.

Inventors:
; ; ; ;
Issue Date:
OSTI Identifier:
7147854
Patent Number(s):
4661221
Application Number:
PPN: US 6-815186
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-36
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 23 Dec 1985
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES; LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION; URANIUM ISOTOPES; LASER RADIATION; PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS; PHOTOIONIZATION; TUNING; ACTINIDE ISOTOPES; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; IONIZATION; ISOTOPE SEPARATION; ISOTOPES; RADIATIONS; SEPARATION PROCESSES; 400202* - Isotope Effects, Isotope Exchange, & Isotope Separation

Citation Formats

Robinson, C P, Jensen, R J, Cotter, T P, Greiner, N R, and Boyer, K. Photochemical isotope separation. United States: N. p., 1987. Web.
Robinson, C P, Jensen, R J, Cotter, T P, Greiner, N R, & Boyer, K. Photochemical isotope separation. United States.
Robinson, C P, Jensen, R J, Cotter, T P, Greiner, N R, and Boyer, K. Tue . "Photochemical isotope separation". United States.
@article{osti_7147854,
title = {Photochemical isotope separation},
author = {Robinson, C P and Jensen, R J and Cotter, T P and Greiner, N R and Boyer, K},
abstractNote = {A process is described for separating isotopes by selective excitation of isotopic species of a volatile compound by tuned laser light. A highly cooled gas of the volatile compound is produced in which the isotopic shift is sharpened and defined. Before substantial condensation occurs, the cooled gas is irradiated with laser light precisely tuned to a desired wavelength to selectively excite a particular isotopic species in the cooled gas. The laser light may impart sufficient energy to the excited species to cause it to undergo photochemical reaction or even to photoionize. Alternatively, a two-photon irradiation may be applied to the cooled gas to induce photochemical reaction or photoionization. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of isotopes of uranium and plutonium. 8 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 1987},
month = {Tue Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 1987}
}

Patent:
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