Process and apparatus for separating isotopes
This invention deals with a process of separating isotopes of atomic mass m/sub 1/ and m/sub 2/ in a plasma. Isotope m/sub 1/ is of low concentration and isotope m/sub 2/ is dominant. The plasma is submitted to a time constant uniform magnetic field and to an orthogonal high frequency electric field. To facilitate the separation a third isotope of atomic mass m/sub 3/ is included in the plasma. The atomic mass m/sub 3/ of the third isotope is such that m/sub 3/ = 2m/sub 1/ - m/sub 2/ and its concentration is (for all practical purposes) equal to that of the dominant isotope. The frequency of the electric field is adjusted to the value of the cyclotron frequency of the isotope of mass m/sub 1/ in the plasma. One thus compensates the polarization of the plasma due to the dominant isotope and increases the tolerance of the process to the natural fluctuations of the plasma. The ions of the isotope 1 are collected at the extremity of the plates on the sides of the apparatus, while those of isotope 2 and 3 are collected on a plate at the end of the apparatus. The invention will find application in the separation of the two isotopes U/sub 235/ and U/sub 238/.
- Assignee:
- Thomson-CSF
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4167668
- OSTI ID:
- 5673952
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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