Laser isotope separation method employing isotopically selective collisional relaxation
US6653587B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D59/34
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of separating isotopes from polyatomic molecules, in particular 13C from trifluoromethane HCF3, by applying to the polyatomic molecules in the gas phase two infrared laser beams of different frequencies. The first laser has a frequency appropriate to excite a low overtone transition of a light atom stretch vibration and produce vibrationally pre-excited molecules enriched in the desired isotopes, for instance 13C. The second laser has a frequency and energy fluence to selectively induce dissociation of the vibrationally pre-excited molecules by infrared multiphoton excitation. The product of the pressure of the molecules and the time-delay of the second laser pulse relative to the first allows collisional vibrational deactivation of a substantial amount of the vibrationally pre-excited molecules containing non-desired isotope(s), like 12C, before dissociation of the vibrationally excited molecules occurs, while there is no significant collisional vibrational deactivation of pre-excited molecules containing the desired isotope, like 13C. The dissociation products are hence highly enriched in the desired isotope.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.