Isotope separation by photoselective dissociative electron capture
Disclosed is a method of separating isotopes based on photoselective electron capture dissociation of molecules having an electron capture cross section dependence on the vibrational state of the molecule. A molecular isotope source material is irradiated to selectively excite those molecules containing a desired isotope to a predetermined vibrational state having associated therewith an electron capture energy region substantially non-overlapping with the electron capture energy ranges associated with the lowest vibration states of the molecules. The isotope source is also subjected to electrons having an energy corresponding to the non-overlapping electron capture region whereby the selectively excited molecules preferentially capture electrons and dissociate into negative ions and neutrals. The desired isotope may be in the negative ion product or in the neutral product depending upon the mechanism of dissociation of the particular isotope source used. The dissociation product enriched in the desired isotope is then separated from the reaction system by conventional means. Specifically, [sup 235]UF[sub 6] is separated from a UF[sub 6] mixture by selective excitation followed by dissociative electron capture into [sup 235]UF[sub 5]- and F. 2 figs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4110182; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 5-696997
- OSTI ID:
- 6962812
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 17 Jun 1976
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Isotope separation by photoselective dissociative electron capture
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Related Subjects
URANIUM 235
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ANIONS
ELECTRON CAPTURE
EXCITATION
URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE
URANIUM PENTAFLUORIDE
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDE ISO
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CAPTURE
CHARGED PARTICLES
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM FLUORIDES
URANIUM ISOTOPES
050500* - Nuclear Fuels- Uranium Enrichment