Method and apparatus for isotope separation

Apparatus for separating of a selected isotope from a uranium substance, comprising:

• an evacuated envelope defining an interaction volume extending along an interaction axis between first and second light transmissive window elements, and including a feed inlet for input of uranium substance at a point mid-way along said axis;
• a plurality of disc aperture members formed from sputtering-resistant material disposed in equal spacing along the interior of said evacuated envelope and defining the interaction axis through the apertures thereby to reduce wall losses and increase efficiency;
• inert buffer gas contained in said interaction volume;
• a light source of wavelength to excite a selected isotope to a predetermined increased energy level, said light source being focused to direct a light beam through said first window element in alignment with said interaction volume axis to said second window element;
• reflector means for reflecting reverberation of said light beam between said first and second window elements;
• oven means maintaining said interaction volume at a controlled elevated temperature;
• magnet means providing a magnetic field that is concentrated in alignment along the interaction axis;
• electrical means for producing an electrical energy differential along said interaction axis to effect gas discharge collisions of said selected isotopes at increased energy levels thereby to produce ionized selected isotopes;
• and
• means for collecting said ionized selected isotopes.