# US 11,908,591 B2 · Enrichment and radioisotope production > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,908,591 B2 - Document ID: US11908591B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/283,823 - Filed: 2019-09-13 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-12 - Assignees: ASML Netherlands B.V. - Applicants: ASML Netherlands B.V. - Inventors: Pieter Willem Herman De Jager; Antonius Theodorus Anna Maria Derksen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11908591B2 ## CPC - G21G 1/12: by electromagnetic irradiation, e.g. with gamma or X-rays (applications of radiation G21H5/00; irradiation devices G21K5/00) - B01D 59/48: using electrostatic and magnetic fields - G21G: CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS; RADIOACTIVE SOURCES (applications of radiation in general G21H5/00; handling particles, e.g. neutrons, or electromagnetic radiation not otherwise provided for G21K) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract A combined enrichment and radioisotope production apparatus comprising an electron source arranged to provide an electron beam, the electron source comprising an electron injector and an accelerator, an undulator configured to generate a radiation beam using the electron beam, a molecular stream generator configured to provide a stream of molecules which is intersected by the radiation beam, a receptacle configured to receive molecules or ions selectively received from the stream of molecules, and a target support structure configured to hold a target upon which the electron beam is incident in use. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: an electron source arranged to provide an electron beam, the electron source comprising an electron injector and an accelerator; an undulator configured to generate a radiation beam using the electron beam; a molecular stream generator configured to provide a stream of molecules which is intersected by the radiation beam; a receptacle configured to receive molecules or ions selectively received from the stream of molecules; and a target support structure configured to hold a target upon which the electron beam is incident in use, wherein the target comprises a desired isotope to generate a radioisotope. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiation beam is configured to at least partially ionise the stream of molecules. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises magnets configured to generate a magnetic field that is traversed by the at least partially ionised stream of molecules. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises electrodes configured to generate an electric field that is traversed by the at least partially ionised stream of molecules. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the receptacle comprises a first receptacle and a second receptacle, the first receptacle being configured to receive ions having a mass that corresponds with a desired isotope, and the second receptacle being configured to receive other ions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first receptacle includes a cooled plate onto which the ions condense or solidify. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the radiation beam is an infrared radiation beam. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiation beam is configured to excite a desired isotope in the stream of molecules. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the receptacle comprises a first receptacle and a second receptacle, the first receptacle being configured to receive molecules which include the excited desired isotope, and the second receptacle being configured to receive other molecules. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first receptacle comprises an annular opening configured to receive molecules which include the excited desired isotope. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the radiation beam is an ultraviolet radiation beam. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first receptacle includes a pump which pumps the ions to a collecting container. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selectively received molecules or ions in the receptacle form part of the target. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target comprises enriched molybdenum (Mo). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the desired isotope comprises Mo-100. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target comprises a plurality of plates supported by the target support structure. ### Claim 17 A method comprising: using an electron injector and an accelerator to provide an electron beam; using an undulator to generate a radiation beam using the electron beam; providing a stream of molecules which is intersected by the radiation beam; selectively receiving, in a receptacle, molecules or ions from the stream of molecules which comprise a desired isotope; and directing the electron beam onto a target comprising a desired isotope to generate a radioisotope. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises: extracting the desired isotope received in the receptacle; and using the desired isotope to form a subsequent target upon which the electron beam is incident. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein: the radiation beam at least partially ionises the stream of molecules, and the at least partially ionised stream of molecules then passes through a magnetic and/or electric field that alters trajectories of the ions according to their mass. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein: the radiation beam excites a desired isotope in the stream of molecules, and the molecules containing the desired isotope then diverge away from other molecules in the stream of molecules.