Process for separating an isotope from a mixture of different isotopes by using a single laser beam
US4584072A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 1983 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D59/34
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process is, herein, disclosed for separating a particular isotope from a mixture of different isotopes by selective excitation and ionization of the particular isotope with a single laser beam, said process comprising heating the mixture, converting the resulting atomic vapor to a highly directional atomic beam by suitable means, causing said atomic beam to travel through a vacuum, crossing the atomic beam with a high-intensity laser beam having a specific wavelength, selectively exciting the particular isotope with a first photon having that specific wavelength while the other isotopes remaining in the ground state, allowing the excited isotope to absorb a second photon to be excited to a virtual energy level, causing the so excited isotope to absorb a third photon to ionize said isotope, and recovering the ionized isotope by use of an electric or electromagnetic field.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.