Lasers for isotope separation

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7340367

O'Hair, E A; Piltch, M S

The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory is conducting research on uranium enrichment. All processes being studied employ uranium molecules and use lasers to provide isotopic selectivity and enrichment. There are four well-defined infrared frequencies and two ultraviolet frequency bands of interest. The infrared frequencies are outside the range of the available lasers and an extensive research and development activity is currently underway. Lasers are available in the uv bands, however, much development work remains. The specification for the commercial uranium enrichment plant lasers will depend upon the results of the current enrichment experiments, the laser capital cost, reliability, and maintenance cost. For the processes under investigation there are specific photon requirements but latitude in how these requirements can be met. The final laser selections for the pilot plant need not be made until the mid-1980's. Between now and that time as extensive as possible a research and development effort will be maintained.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N.Mex. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 7340367
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-76-1647; CONF-760832-11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050503* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Uranium Enrichment-- Laser Excitation-- (-1989)
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ACTINIDES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ELEMENTS
ENRICHED URANIUM
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE ENRICHED MATERIALS
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
ISOTOPES
LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION
METALS
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
URANIUM
URANIUM 235
URANIUM 238
URANIUM ISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES