System and method for metallic isotope separation by a combined thermal-vacuum distillation process

An apparatus for separation of radioisotopes, comprising:

• a dissolution cell for placing a molybdenum target for heating and dissolution;
• a thermal separation unit comprising a reaction chamber to separate volatile vapors of radioisotopes, the thermal separation unit being in communication with the dissolution cell;
• a vacuum line connected to said thermal separation unit to reduce the pressure for sublimation;
• and
• a condenser unit connected to said thermal separation unit and associated with a collection vial to collect a condensed product from said condenser unit, wherein the condenser unit is funnel shaped and adapted to capture said volatile vapors of the radioisotopes,
• wherein said funnel shaped condenser unit has a straight region of a larger diameter followed by an angled region including a smaller diameter relative to the larger diameter, and
• wherein said straight region of said funnel shaped condenser unit is heated to a temperature in a range of from about 400° C. to about 600° C. to keep said radioisotopes in a vapor state and said angled region of said funnel shaped condenser unit is held at a temperature below 200° C.