Radial plasma mass filter

A plasma filter which comprises:

• a means for generating a multi-species plasma having light mass particles (M1) and heavy mass particles (M2), wherein said multi-species plasma is moved along a curved path in rotation about an axis, the curved path being substantially in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation;
• a means for generating a magnetic field, Bz, said magnetic field being aligned substantially parallel to the axis of rotation;
• a means for generating an electric field, Er, said electric field having a positive potential on the axis of rotation and a substantially zero potential away from the axis of rotation, said electric field being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and crossed with said magnetic field to rotate said multi-species plasma on the curved path around the axis of rotation to separate the light mass particles (M1) from the heavy mass particles (M2);
• a circumferential collector substantially located in the plane at a radial distance “a” from the axis of rotation for collecting the heavy mass particles (M2);
• and
• a radial collector substantially located in the plane and oriented substantially perpendicular to said circumferential collector, said radial collector extending radially in the plane between said circumferential collector and the axis of rotation for collecting the light mass particles (M1), said radial collector being at an azimuthal angle β in the plane from said means for generating a multi-species plasma.

A method separating light mass particles, M1, from heavy mass particles, M2, which comprises the steps of:

• providing a hollow semi-cylindrical chamber defining a longitudinal axis, said chamber being enclosed by a wall located at a radial distance “a” from said axis, said chamber having a first end and a second end with at least one plasma source mounted in said chamber between the longitudinal axis and said wall, and between said first end and said second end;
• activating said plasma source to generate a multi-species plasma with the multi-species plasma containing light mass particles (M1) and heavy mass particles (M2);
• generating a magnetic field, Bz, in said chamber, said magnetic field being aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• generating an electric field, Er, in said chamber, said electric field having a positive potential on the longitudinal axis, Vctr, and a substantially zero potential at said wall of said chamber, said electric field being oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and crossed with said magnetic field to rotate said multi-species plasma around the longitudinal axis to separate the light mass particles (M1) from the heavy mass particles (M2).