Method and apparatus for noble gas atom detection with isotopic selectivity
- Oak Ridge, TN
- Harriman, TN
- Knoxville, TN
Apparatus and methods of operation are described for determining, with isotopic selectivity, the number of noble gas atoms in a sample. The analysis is conducted within an evacuated chamber which can be isolated by a valve from a vacuum pumping system capable of producing a pressure of 10.sup.-8 Torr. Provision is made to pass pulses of laser beams through the chamber, these pulses having wavelengths appropriate for the resonance ionization of atoms of the noble gas under analysis. A mass filter within the chamber selects ions of a specific isotope of the noble gas, and means are provided to accelerate these selected ions sufficiently for implantation into a target. Specific types of targets are discussed. An electron measuring device produces a signal relatable to the number of ions implanted into the target and thus to the number of atoms of the selected isotope of the noble gas removed from the gas sample. The measurement can be continued until a substantial fraction, or all, of the atoms in the sample have been counted. Furthermore, additional embodiments of the apparatus are described for bunching the atoms of a noble gas for more rapid analysis, and for changing the target for repetitive cycling of the gas in the chamber. The number of repetitions of the cyclic steps depend upon the concentration of the isotope of interest, the separative efficiency of the mass filter, etc. The cycles are continued until a desired selectivity is achieved. Also described are components and a method of operation for a pre-enrichment operation for use when an introduction of a total sample would elevate the pressure within the chamber to levels in excess of those for operation of the mass filter, specifically a quadrupole mass filter. Specific examples of three noble gas isotope analyses are described.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76
- Assignee:
- Atom Sciences, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4426576
- OSTI ID:
- 864843
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
A Concept for a Low Pressure Noble Gas Fill Intervention in the IFE Fusion Test Facility (FTF) Target Chamber
Aerosol-Assisted Solid Debris Collection for the National Ignition Facility
Related Subjects
apparatus
noble
gas
atom
detection
isotopic
selectivity
methods
operation
described
determining
atoms
sample
analysis
conducted
evacuated
chamber
isolated
valve
vacuum
pumping
capable
producing
pressure
10
-8
torr
provision
pass
pulses
laser
beams
wavelengths
appropriate
resonance
ionization
mass
filter
selects
specific
isotope
means
provided
accelerate
selected
sufficiently
implantation
target
types
targets
discussed
electron
measuring
device
produces
signal
relatable
implanted
removed
measurement
continued
substantial
fraction
counted
furthermore
additional
embodiments
bunching
rapid
changing
repetitive
cycling
repetitions
cyclic
steps
depend
concentration
separative
efficiency
etc
cycles
desired
achieved
components
pre-enrichment
introduction
total
elevate
levels
excess
specifically
quadrupole
examples
analyses
quadrupole mass
specific isotope
vacuum pumping
resonance ionization
mass filter
specific examples
substantial fraction
gas sample
laser beams
laser beam
measuring device
noble gas
evacuated chamber
vacuum pump
gas atoms
specific example
selected isotope
specific type
device produces
isotopic selectivity
/250/