Atomic vapor laser isotope separation of lead-210 isotope

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872489

Scheibner, Karl F ^[1]; Haynam, Christopher A ^[2]; Johnson, Michael A ^[2]; Worden, Earl F ^[3]

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1. Tracy, CA
2. Pleasanton, CA
3. Diablo, CA

An isotopically selective laser process and apparatus for removal of Pb-210 from natural lead that involves a one-photon near-resonant, two-photon resonant excitation of one or more Rydberg levels, followed by field ionization and then electrostatic extraction. The wavelength to the near-resonant intermediate state is counter propagated with respect to the second wavelength required to populate the final Rydberg state. This scheme takes advantage of the large first excited state cross section, and only modest laser fluences are required. The non-resonant process helps to avoid two problems: first, stimulated Raman Gain due to the nearby F=3/2 hyperfine component of Pb-207 and, second, direct absorption of the first transition process light by Pb-207.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States Enrichment Corp. (Bethesda, MD)
• Patent Number(s): US 5945649
• OSTI ID: 872489
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

atomic
vapor
laser
isotope
separation
lead-210
isotopically
selective
process
apparatus
removal
pb-210
natural
lead
involves
one-photon
near-resonant
two-photon
resonant
excitation
rydberg
levels
followed
field
ionization
electrostatic
extraction
wavelength
intermediate
counter
propagated
respect
required
populate
final
scheme
takes
advantage
excited
section
modest
fluences
non-resonant
helps
avoid
stimulated
raman
due
nearby
hyperfine
component
pb-207
direct
absorption
transition
light
stimulated raman
atomic vapor
vapor laser
isotope separation
laser isotope
takes advantage
isotopically selective
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