Isotope separation using tuned laser and electron beam

Patent 4704197 Issued on November 3, 1987. Estimated Expiration Date:

November 13, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Method and apparatus for separation of ions from a plasma
Patent #: 3939354
Issued on: 02/17/1976
Inventor: Janes

Isotope separation utilizing zeeman compensated magnetic extraction
Patent #: 3953731
Issued on: 04/27/1976
Inventor: Forsen

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Inventor: Forsen

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Patent #: 4020350
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Inventor: Ducas

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Patent #: 4031389
Issued on: 06/21/1977
Inventor: Russell , et al.

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Patent #: 4115078
Issued on: 09/19/1978
Inventor: Janner , et al.

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Patent #: 4302676
Issued on: 11/24/1981
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Inventor

Trajmar, Sandor

Assignee

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the

Application

No. 06/930217 filed on 11/13/1986

US Classes:

204/157.22, Using laser250/423P, Photoionization type250/427Electron bombardment type

Examiners

Primary: Terapane, John F.
Assistant: Caress, Virginia B.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Classes

H05H 3/00 (20060101)
B01D 59/00 (20060101)
B01D 59/34 (20060101)
H01J 49/16 (20060101)
H01J 49/10 (20060101)

Abstract

Apparatus and method for producing a stream (56) of a selected isotope. The apparatus comprises means for producing an atomic beam (26) containing the isotope of interest and other isotopes. Means (48) are provided for producing a magnetic field (28) traversing the path of the atomic beam of an intensity sufficient to broaden the energy domain of the various individual magnetic sublevels of the isotope of interest and having the atomic beam passing therethrough. A laser beam (32) is produced of a frequency and polarization selected to maximize the activation of only individual magnetic sublevels of the isotope of interest within the portion of its broadened energy domain most removed from other isotopes within the stream. The laser beam is directed so as to strike the atomic beam within the magnetic field and traverse the path of the atomic beam whereby only the isotope of interest is activated by the laser beam. The apparatus further includes means (40, 44, 46, 28) for producing a collimated and high intensity beam of electrons (42) of narrow energy distribution within the magnetic field which is aimed so as to strike the atomic beam while the atomic beam is simultaneously struck by the laser beam and at an energy level selected to ionize the activated isotope of interest but not ground state species included therewith. Deflection means (54) are disposed in the usual manner to collect the ions.