US4029559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ion laser isotope enrichment by photo-predissociation of formaldehyde
Assignee: Energy Research and Development Administration ERDA
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Filing: 1976-06-17
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Granted: 1977-06-14
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Expires: 1996-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Enrichment of carbon, hydrogen and/or oxygen isotopes by means of isotopically selective photo-predissociation of formaldehyde is achieved by irradiation with a fixed frequency ion laser, specifically, a neon, cadmium, or xenon ion laser.
Inventors
- 👤 John B. Marling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:57
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/12; B01J19/121; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/34; C; C01; C01B; C01B4/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A method for separating isotopes of at least one element selected from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen by selective photo-predissociation of formaldehyde which comprises: subjecting a gaseous formaldehyde isotope source material to laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength selected from the range of about 3323.75 ± .025 A, the range of about 3323.71 ± .01 A, about 3250.3 A, and about 3454.26 A which excites those molecules of formaldehyde containing a desired isotope of said element without substantially exciting those molecules of formaldehyde containing an undesired isotope of the same element, the excited molecules thereby dissociating to form a product enriched in the desired isotope without substantial dissociation of unexcited molecules; providing said laser radiation by means of a neon ion laser when said predetermined wavelength is in the range of about 3323.75 ± .025 A, by means of a neon-22 ion laser when said predetermined wavelength is in the range of about 3323.71 ± .01 A, by means of a cadmium ion laser when said predetermined wavelength is about 3250.3 A, and by means of a xenon ion laser when said predetermined wavelength is about 3454.26 A; and separating the dissociation product enriched in the desired isotope from the reaction system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
201 words
A method for separating isotopes of at least one element selected from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen by selective photo-predissociation of formaldehyde which comprises: subjecting a gaseous formaldehyde isotope source material to laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength selected from the range of about 3323.75 ± .025 A, the range of about 3323.71 ± .01 A, about 3250.3 A, and about 3454.26 A which excites those molecules of formaldehyde containing a desired isotope of said element without substantially exciting those molecules of formaldehyde containing an undesired isotope of the same element, the excited molecules thereby dissociating to form a product enriched in the desired isotope without substantial dissociation of unexcited molecules; providing said laser radiation by means of a neon ion laser when said predetermined wavelength is in the range of about 3323.75 ± .025 A, by means of a neon-22 ion laser when said predetermined wavelength is in the range of about 3323.71 ± .01 A, by means of a cadmium ion laser when said predetermined wavelength is about 3250.3 A, and by means of a xenon ion laser when said predetermined wavelength is about 3454.26 A; and separating the dissociation product enriched in the desired isotope from the reaction system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the laser source is a neon ion laser and the predetermined wavelength is in the range of about 3323.75 ± .025 A.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the laser source is a neon ion laser, the predetermined wavelength is about 3323.77 A and the desired isotope is deuterium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the laser source is a neon ion laser, the predetermined wavelength is about 3323.73 A and the desired isotope is 17 O.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the laser source is a neon ion laser, the predetermined wavelength is about 3323.74 A and the desired isotope is 18 O.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the laser source is a neon-22 ion laser and the predetermined wavelength is in the range of about 3323.71 ± .01 A.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the laser source is a neon-22 ion laser, the predetermined wavelength is about 3323.712 A and the desired isotope is 17 O.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the laser source is a neon-22 ion laser, the predetermined wavelength is about 3323.706 A and the desired isotope is 13 C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the laser source is a cadmium ion laser, the predetermined wavelength is about 3250.3 A and the desired isotope is selected from 18 O and deuterium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein the laser source is a xenon ion laser, the predetermined wavelength is about 3454.26 A and the desired isotope is deuterium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-13 | 1980-12-13 | 1981-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-13 | 1984-12-13 | 1985-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-13 | 1988-12-13 | 1989-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |