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Title: Isotope separation by multiphoton dissociation of molecules using high-power CO/sub 2/ laser radiation. Scaling of the process for carbon isotopes

Journal Article · · Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

Data are presented on multiphoton dissociation of halogenated methanes, CF/sub 3/I and CF/sub 3/Br, in a pulsed CO/sub 2/ laser field in the single-pulse irradiation regime. It is shown that the high parameters of an elementary separation event (dissociation yield and selectivity, quantum efficiency) for these molecules can be used to achieve efficient laser separation of the carbon isotopes /sup 12/C and /sup 13/C. An analysis is made of problems involved in organizing the chemical cycle when the process is scaled up. A description is given of an apparatus for scaled-up laser isotope separation, including a pulse-periodic CO/sub 2/ laser with a kilowatt average power, and a laser separation cell. Experiments carried out using this apparatus showed that the high parameters obtained in the single-pulse regime can also be achieved using this design and a yield rate comparable with that of traditional separation systems can be achieved for fairly low energy losses. These results make it possible to develop a commercial system for laser isotope separation using multiphoton dissociation of molecules.

Research Organization:
Institute of Spectroscopy, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Troitsk
OSTI ID:
6875306
Journal Information:
Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Vol. 12:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English