Method for isotope separation by means of coherent electromagnetic radiation

US4138297A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Karl Janner · Erlangen, DE
• Klaus Gregorius · Copenhagen, DK
• Heinz Stehle · Marloffstein, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 2, 1977
• Grant date: Feb 6, 1979
• Expiry date: Mar 2, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01D59/34
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Method for isotope separation or enrichment in a vaporous mixture of compounds containing the isotopes to selectively excite the group of molecules containing one isotope by means of coherent, polarized electromagnetic radiation (lasers) in which a frequency shift is prevented or greatly reduced and the excitation state can be driven very high to beyond the dissociation limit. This is accomplished by adjusting the frequency and field strength of the radiation so that the dipole moment of the group of molecules to be excited, oscillates, at least at the final amplitude, mainly in phase opposition to the exciting field, and the other group of molecules mainly in phase with the exciting field. In another procedure the radiation has a frequency closer to the resonance frequency of the group of molecules to be separated and is of the order of magnitude of the isotope-determined frequency difference, and both groups of molecules operate in phase opposition.