Photochemical isotope separation

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866235

Robinson, C Paul ^[1]; Jensen, Reed J ^[1]; Cotter, Theodore P ^[1]; Greiner, Norman R ^[1]; Boyer, Keith ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

A process 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.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4661221
• OSTI ID: 866235
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

photochemical
isotope
separation
process
separating
isotopes
selective
excitation
isotopic
species
volatile
compound
tuned
laser
light
highly
cooled
gas
produced
shift
sharpened
defined
substantial
condensation
occurs
irradiated
precisely
desired
wavelength
selectively
excite
particular
impart
sufficient
energy
excited
undergo
reaction
photoionize
alternatively
two-photon
irradiation
applied
induce
photoionization
particularly
applicable
uranium
plutonium
volatile compound
selective excitation
excited species
desired wavelength
sufficient energy
cooled gas
particularly applicable
laser light
chemical reaction
isotope separation
photochemical reaction
isotopic species
selectively excite
separating isotopes
two-photon irradiation
substantial condensation
tuned laser
precisely tuned
isotopic shift
particular isotopic
light precisely
condensation occurs
highly cooled
impart sufficient
photochemical isotope
desired wave
/204/423/