Laser isotope separation by multiple photon absorption

A method for obtaining elemental values enriched in a particular isotope of said element which comprises

• a. obtaining a fluid comprising first molecular species containing two or more isotopes of said element, said first molecular species having, in the presence of sufficiently intense laser radiation, a density of vibrational levels sufficient to allow multiple photon absorption to higher vibrational levels from a first lower vibrational level by absorption of photons of the same energy as can excite said first molecular species to said first lower vibrational level;
• b. irradiating said fluid with infrared laser radiation of a frequency which selectively excites to a first lower vibrational level those molecules of said first molecular species containing a particular isotope of said element, said infrared laser radiation having an intensity sufficient to produce multiple photon absorption from said first lower vibrational level to a plurality of higher vibrational levels thereby producing a vibrational state at which said molecules containing said particular isotope undergo chemical reaction;
• and
• c. separating the reaction products of said chemical reaction from said fluid.