Photochemical isotope separation
A process is described for separating isotopes by selective excitation of isotopic species of a volatile compound by tuned laser light. A highly cooled gas of the volatile compound is produced in which the isotopic shift is sharpened and defined. Before substantial condensation occurs, the cooled gas is irradiated with laser light precisely tuned to a desired wavelength to selectively excite a particular isotopic species in the cooled gas. The laser light may impart sufficient energy to the excited species to cause it to undergo photochemical reaction or even to photoionize. Alternatively, a two-photon irradiation may be applied to the cooled gas to induce photochemical reaction or photoionization. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of isotopes of uranium and plutonium. 8 figs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4661221; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 6-815186
- OSTI ID:
- 7147854
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 23 Dec 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Isotope separation by laser means
Isotope separation by laser means
Related Subjects
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION
URANIUM ISOTOPES
LASER RADIATION
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOIONIZATION
TUNING
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONIZATION
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
RADIATIONS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
400202* - Isotope Effects
Isotope Exchange
& Isotope Separation