Method and apparatus for providing negative ions of actinide-metal hexafluorides
- Oak Ridge, TN
- Kingston, TN
This invention relates to a novel method and a novel generator, or source, for providing gaseous negative ions of selected metal hexafluorides. The method is summarized as follows: in an evacuated zone, reacting gaseous fluorine with an actinide-metal body selected from the group consisting of uranium, plutonium, neptunium, and americium to convert at least part of the metal to the hexafluoride state, thus producing gaseous negatively charged metal-hexafluoride ions in the evacuated zone, and applying an electric field to the zone to remove the ions therefrom. The ion source comprises a chamber defining a reaction zone; means for evacuating the zone; an actinide-metal body in the zone, the metal being uranium, plutonium, neptunium, or americium; means for contacting the body with gaseous fluorine to convert at least a part thereof to the hexafluoride state; and means for applying an electric field to the evacuated zone to extract gaseous, negatively charged metal-hexafluoride ions therefrom. The invention provides unique advantages over conventional surface-ionization techniques for producing such ions.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4105746
- OSTI ID:
- 863151
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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apparatus
providing
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novel
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selected
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summarized
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evacuated
zone
reacting
fluorine
consisting
uranium
plutonium
neptunium
americium
convert
hexafluoride
producing
negatively
charged
metal-hexafluoride
applying
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therefrom
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chamber
defining
reaction
means
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contacting
extract
provides
unique
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electric field
reaction zone
novel method
source comprises
gaseous fluorine
producing gaseous
reacting gaseous
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