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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorTheodore P. Cotter
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The invention relates to a method and apparatus for laser isotope separation by photodeflection. A molecular beam comprising at least two isotopes to be separated intersects, preferable substantially perpendicular to one broad side of the molecular beam, with a laser beam traveling in a first direction. The laser beam is reflected back through the molecular beam, preferably in a second direction essentially opposite to the first direction. The laser beam comprises .pi.-pulses of a selected wavelength which excite unexcited molecules, or cause stimulated emission of excited molecules of one of the isotopes. Excitation caused by first direction .pi.-pulses moves molecules of the isotope excited thereby in the first direction. Stimulated emission of excited molecules of the isotope is brought about by returning .pi.-pulses traveling in the second direction. Stimulated emission moves emitting molecules in a direction opposite to the photon emitted. Because emitted photons travel in the second direction, emitting molecules move in the first direction. Substantial molecular movement is accomplished by a large number of .pi.-pulse-molecule interactions. A beam corer collects the molecules in the resulting enriched divergent portions of the beam.
A method for inducing separation between two isotopes in a molecular beam using a laser emitting a beam of a selected wavelength, the selected wavelength being one that will be absorbed by unexcited molecules of one isotope and will stimulate emission by excited molecules of the one isotope, the method comprising the steps of:
An apparatus for inducing separation between two isotopes comprising:
A process for the separation of one isotopic species from a mixture of isotopes, which comprises the steps of generating a beam of the atoms or molecules, introducing said beam into a laser cavity for providing a direction of the laser beam substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of said atom beam, irradiating said atom beam with a sufficient radiation for bringing about the excitation of only the isotopic species to be separated, said radiation being by means of .pi.-pulses of radiation, said laser being operated in a .pi.-pulsed mode, reflecting said .pi.-pulsed laser beam back and forth between at least a pair of opposed sides of said laser cavity for deflecting said isotopic species, and collecting said species.
A device for the separation of an isotopic species out of a mixture of isotopic species, comprising in combination a means for generating at least one narrow atomic or molecular beam, means for irradiating these beams by means of a controlled .pi.-pulsed radiation of desired wavelength, means for reflecting said .pi.-pulsed radiation back and forth in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction motion of said beams and means for collecting the separated desired isotopic species.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.