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Multiphoton absorption and decomposition of fluoroform-d: Laser isotope separation of deuterium

Journal Article · · J. Chem. Phys.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.444256· OSTI ID:6720356

Multiphoton absorption (MPA) studies of fluoroform-d, a molecule of interest for potential laser based hydrogen isotope separation processes, are reported for CDF/sub 3/ pressures 0.2--1.3 kPa, and for a variety of 10 ..mu..m CO/sub 2/ laser lines with pulse widths of 2 or 6 ns and fluences within the range 10/sup -3/--70 J/cm/sup 2/. Unlike SF/sub 6/, no red shift of the MPA spectrum relative to the small signal spectrum was observed at high fluence. Selective multiphoton decomposition (MPD) experiments using the 10R(26) line, 6 ns pulse to excite the CDF/sub 3/ component in natural-abundance CHF/sub 3/ (approx. 150 ppm D/H) at a pressure of 13.3 kPa resulted in the recovery of water enriched up to 30% in deuterium: a measured isotope enrichment of > or =2000 fold. This demonstrates that a product, highly enriched in deuterium, can be recovered from the selective MPD of fluoroform.

Research Organization:
Physical Chemistry Branch, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Research Company, Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario K0J 1J0
OSTI ID:
6720356
Journal Information:
J. Chem. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 77:7; ISSN JCPSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English