Isotope separation in a vacuum-arc centrifuge

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.338407· OSTI ID:6674878

Prasad, R R; Krishnan, M

Measurements of isotope enrichment in collected samples of magnesium from a vacuum-arc centrifuge are described. The vacuum-arc centrifuge is a rigidly rotating, magnetized, highly ionized, quasineutral column of plasma. Rigid body rotation causes radial, centrifugal separation of isotopes. A multifluid model has been developed that predicts the observed isotope separation. Using this model and the observed scaling of rotation and plasma size with magnetic field, enrichments of /sup 48/Ca and /sup 203/Tl are predicted as functions of magnetic field. It is found that the yield (defined as the ratio of the fraction of the desired isotope collected to the maximum possible collected fraction at the desired enrichment) of both these isotopes increases with increasing magnetic field. The typical cost of separation in such a vacuum-arc centrifuge is calculated to be --70 keV/separated atom.

• Research Organization: Section of Applied Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
• OSTI ID: 6674878
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 61:9; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
070100* -- Physical Isotope Separation
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CALCIUM ISOTOPES
CENTRIFUGES
CONCENTRATORS
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
MAGNESIUM
MAGNETIC FIELDS
METALS
MOTION
OPERATION
PLASMA
ROTATION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
THALLIUM ISOTOPES
ULTRACENTRIFUGES