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Title: Isotope separation apparatus and method

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for laser isotope separation by photodeflection. A molecular beam comprising at least two isotopes to be separated intersects, preferably substantially perpendicular to one broad side of the molecular beam, with a laser beam traveling in a first direction. The laser beam is reflected back through the molecular beam, preferably in a second direction essentially opposite to the first direction. Because the molecules in the beam occupy various degenerate energy levels, if the laser beam comprises chirped pulses comprising selected wavelengths, the laser beam will very efficiently excite substantially all unexcited molecules and will cause stimulated emission of substantially all excited molecules of a selected one of the isotopes in the beam which such pulses encounter. Excitation caused by first direction chirped pulses moves molecules of the isotope excited thereby in the first direction. Stimulated emission of excited molecules of the isotope is brought about by returning chirped pulses traveling in the second direction. Stimulated emission moves emitting molecules in a direction opposite to the photon emitted. Because emitted photons travel in the second direction, emitting molecules move in the first direction. Substantial molecular movement of essentially all the molecules containing themore » one isotope is accomplished by a large number of chirped pulse-molecule interactions. A beam corer collects the molecules in the resulting enriched divergent portions of the beam.« less

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Los Alamos, NM
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
865497
Patent Number(s):
US 4526664
Assignee:
United Sates of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
isotope; separation; apparatus; method; relates; improved; laser; photodeflection; molecular; beam; comprising; isotopes; separated; intersects; preferably; substantially; perpendicular; broad; traveling; direction; reflected; essentially; opposite; molecules; occupy; various; degenerate; energy; levels; comprises; chirped; pulses; selected; wavelengths; efficiently; excite; unexcited; stimulated; emission; excited; encounter; excitation; caused; moves; brought; returning; emitting; photon; emitted; photons; travel; move; substantial; movement; containing; accomplished; pulse-molecule; interactions; corer; collects; resulting; enriched; divergent; portions; separation apparatus; excited molecules; selected wavelength; molecules containing; substantially perpendicular; energy level; improved method; laser beam; isotope separation; molecular beam; laser isotope; stimulated emission; direction opposite; energy levels; beam comprising; beam comprises; selected wavelengths; separated intersects; selected wave; beam core; /204/422/

Citation Formats

Feldman, Barry J. Isotope separation apparatus and method. United States: N. p., 1985. Web.
Feldman, Barry J. Isotope separation apparatus and method. United States.
Feldman, Barry J. 1985. "Isotope separation apparatus and method". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/865497.
@article{osti_865497,
title = {Isotope separation apparatus and method},
author = {Feldman, Barry J},
abstractNote = {The invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for laser isotope separation by photodeflection. A molecular beam comprising at least two isotopes to be separated intersects, preferably substantially perpendicular to one broad side of the molecular beam, with a laser beam traveling in a first direction. The laser beam is reflected back through the molecular beam, preferably in a second direction essentially opposite to the first direction. Because the molecules in the beam occupy various degenerate energy levels, if the laser beam comprises chirped pulses comprising selected wavelengths, the laser beam will very efficiently excite substantially all unexcited molecules and will cause stimulated emission of substantially all excited molecules of a selected one of the isotopes in the beam which such pulses encounter. Excitation caused by first direction chirped pulses moves molecules of the isotope excited thereby in the first direction. Stimulated emission of excited molecules of the isotope is brought about by returning chirped pulses traveling in the second direction. Stimulated emission moves emitting molecules in a direction opposite to the photon emitted. Because emitted photons travel in the second direction, emitting molecules move in the first direction. Substantial molecular movement of essentially all the molecules containing the one isotope is accomplished by a large number of chirped pulse-molecule interactions. A beam corer collects the molecules in the resulting enriched divergent portions of the beam.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/865497}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985}
}