Isotope separation apparatus and method

Patent · Tue Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6445905

Cotter, T P

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for laser isotope separation by photodeflection. A molecular beam comprising at least two isotopes to be separated intersects, preferable substantially perpendicular to one broad side of the molecular beam, with a laser beam traveling in a first direction. The laser beam is reflected back through the molecular beam, preferably in a second direction essentially opposite to the first direction. The laser beam comprises pi-pulses of a selected wavelength which excite unexcited molecules, or cause stimulated emission of excited molecules of one of the isotopes. Excitation caused by first direction pi-pulses moves molecules of the isotope excited thereby in the first direction. Stimulated emission of excited molecules of the isotope is brought about by returning pi-pulses traveling in the second direction. Stimulated emission moves emitting molecules in a direction opposite to the photon emitted. Because emitted photons travel in the second direction, emitting molecules move in the first direction. Substantial molecular movement is accomplished by a large number of pi-pulse-molecule interactions. A beam corer collects the molecules in the resulting enriched divergent portions of the beam.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4366379
• OSTI ID: 6445905
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 5 Jun 1978; Other Information: PAT-APPL-912783
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION
URANIUM 235
EXCITATION
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
LASERS
MOLECULAR BEAMS
MOLECULES
STIMULATED EMISSION
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BEAMS
EMISSION
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
URANIUM ISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
050503* - Nuclear Fuels- Uranium Enrichment- Laser Excitation- (-1989)