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Title: Isotope separation apparatus and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for laser isotope separation by photodeflection. A molecular beam comprising at least two isotopes to be separated intersects, preferable 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. The laser beam comprises .pi.-pulses of a selected wavelength which excite unexcited molecules, or cause stimulated emission of excited molecules of one of the isotopes. Excitation caused by first direction .pi.-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 .pi.-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 is accomplished by a large number of .pi.-pulse-molecule interactions. A beam corer collects the molecules in the resulting enriched divergent portions of the beam.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Los Alamos, NM
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
864454
Patent Number(s):
4366379
Application Number:
05/912,783
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
isotope; separation; apparatus; method; relates; laser; photodeflection; molecular; beam; comprising; isotopes; separated; intersects; preferable; substantially; perpendicular; broad; traveling; direction; reflected; preferably; essentially; opposite; comprises; -pulses; selected; wavelength; excite; unexcited; molecules; stimulated; emission; excited; excitation; caused; moves; brought; returning; emitting; photon; emitted; photons; travel; move; substantial; movement; accomplished; -pulse-molecule; interactions; corer; collects; resulting; enriched; divergent; portions; separation apparatus; excited molecules; selected wavelength; substantially perpendicular; laser beam; isotope separation; molecular beam; laser isotope; stimulated emission; direction opposite; beam comprising; beam comprises; separated intersects; selected wave; beam core; /204/95/250/422/423/

Citation Formats

Cotter, Theodore P. Isotope separation apparatus and method. United States: N. p., 1982. Web.
Cotter, Theodore P. Isotope separation apparatus and method. United States.
Cotter, Theodore P. Tue . "Isotope separation apparatus and method". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/864454.
@article{osti_864454,
title = {Isotope separation apparatus and method},
author = {Cotter, Theodore P},
abstractNote = {The invention relates to a method and apparatus for laser isotope separation by photodeflection. A molecular beam comprising at least two isotopes to be separated intersects, preferable 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. The laser beam comprises .pi.-pulses of a selected wavelength which excite unexcited molecules, or cause stimulated emission of excited molecules of one of the isotopes. Excitation caused by first direction .pi.-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 .pi.-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 is accomplished by a large number of .pi.-pulse-molecule interactions. A beam corer collects the molecules in the resulting enriched divergent portions of the beam.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1982},
month = {12}
}