Experimental and computer modeling studies of isotopically selective two-step laser photodissociation of small molecules

Technical Report · Wed Mar 25 04:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5274846· OSTI ID:5274846

Zittel, P F

The approach to laser isotope separation taken in this study is based on isotopically selective, two-step, laser photodissociation of small molecules. A primary goal of this study is the measurement of fundamental molecular processes which control the two-step, photodissociative isotope enrichment process. This objective has led to experimental measurements of uv photodissociation cross sections for vibrationally excited states of several small molecules, including the first cross section reported for any neutral molecule in a specific, excited vibrational state. A second goal of this study has been the laboratory demonstration of isotope enrichment for isotopes of practical interest and for processes with a potential for larger scale production. Where possible, efforts have focussed on the separation of middle isotopes, such as {sup 17}O and {sup 33}S, which are expensive and difficult to separate using other techniques. Considerable success has been achieved in demonstrating the enrichment of isotopes of bromine, carbon, oxygen and a third goal of this study has been the application of computer modeling to the two-step enrichment process. Experimental measurements define as many as possible of the critical photophysical and chemical parameters required by an ab initio computer model of the enrichment process. Progress toward these goals has been documented in detail in a variety of journal articles and technical reports. It is not the objective of this final report to discuss each aspect of the work done under this contract/grant in detail. A general overview of the program, touches briefly on each of the problems addressed by the study and provides references to more detailed discussions. 19 refs.

• Research Organization: Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA (United States). Engineering and Technology Group
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-87ER13657
• OSTI ID: 5274846
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/13657-T1; ON: DE92011427
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400105 -- Separation Procedures
400202* -- Isotope Effects
Isotope Exchange
& Isotope Separation
BROMINE ISOTOPES
CARBON ISOTOPES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DISSOCIATION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENRICHMENT
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION
LIGHT NUCLEI
MOLECULES
NUCLEI
OXYGEN 17
OXYGEN ISOTOPES
PROGRESS REPORT
RADIATIONS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SIMULATION
STABLE ISOTOPES
SULFUR 33
SULFUR ISOTOPES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION