US4044252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separation of chemical species
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1975-01-02
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1995-01-02
Abstract
Abstract Isotopic separation is accomplished by (1) a second photon irradiation step for selective ionization of a first isotopic species and (2) selective precipitation of a generally immiscible liquid from the saturating vapor phase on the ionized species. The first photon corresponds with a sharply defined spectral portion of the irradiation which exclusively excites the first species to a vibrational level. The second photon further excites this species to its ionization level. Selective precipitation is by coulombic attraction between the ionized species and the vapor. The procedure is applicable to any vapor phase ionizable material.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Michael Rentzepis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; B; B01; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
Process for species separation in accordance with which a vapor containing at least two different species is irradiated so as to electronically excite but one selected species and is separated by use of an agent which has a preferential coulombic attraction for the excited species, characterized in that the said vapor is irradiated by radiation which includes a sharply defined spectral portion for exciting the selected species to an elevated vibrational state and a portion for electronically raising the energy level of the selected species in the elevated vibrational state to an electronically elevated level in which electronic charges are separated, and in that the ambient atmosphere is substantially saturated with respect to said agent, which is a condensable vapor which is substantially a non-solvent for any included isotopic species which is not in an electrically elevated level in which electronic charges are separated, whereby the selected species serves as nucleation sites for the said condensable vapor so that the selected species selectively precipitates at such sites.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
Process for species separation in accordance with which a vapor containing at least two different species is irradiated so as to electronically excite but one selected species and is separated by use of an agent which has a preferential coulombic attraction for the excited species, characterized in that the said vapor is irradiated by radiation which includes a sharply defined spectral portion for exciting the selected species to an elevated vibrational state and a portion for electronically raising the energy level of the selected species in the elevated vibrational state to an electronically elevated level in which electronic charges are separated, and in that the ambient atmosphere is substantially saturated with respect to said agent, which is a condensable vapor which is substantially a non-solvent for any included isotopic species which is not in an electrically elevated level in which electronic charges are separated, whereby the selected species serves as nucleation sites for the said condensable vapor so that the selected species selectively precipitates at such sites.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 in which the said species are isotopic species of the same element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 2 in which the said species are in chemically combined form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 3 in which the said chemically combined form is an ionic compound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 in which the said electronically elevated level is an ionization level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 in which the said electronically elevated level corresponds with an excited state dipole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 in which the said electronically elevated level of the excited species to be separated is at a quantum level below that of other species.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 in which the said electronically elevated level is an ion level and in which ionization proceeds by autoionization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 in which the said species are isotopic species of chlorine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 in which the said species are isotopic species of hydrogen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |