US4082633A
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High mass isotope separation process and arrangement
Assignee: TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS
•
Filing: 1975-12-11
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Granted: 1978-04-04
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Expires: 1995-12-11
Abstract
Abstract An isotope separation arrangement for separating a preselected isotope from a mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules by either photon-induced pure rovibrational or vibronic selective excitation of the molecules containing the atoms of the isotope to be separated from a lower to a higher energy state, and a chemical reaction of the higher energy state molecules with a chemically reactive agent to form a chemical compound containing primarily the atoms of isotope to be separated in a physicochemical state different from the physicochemical state of the mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules. The chemical compound containing the atoms of the isotope to be separated may be subsequently processed to obtain the isotope.
Inventors
- 👤 Jozef Willem Eerkens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:23
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/12; B01J19/121; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/34; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/08004; H01S3/08009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
394 words
In a process for obtaining a predetermined isotope by separating predetermined isotopic molecules of the predetermined isotope from a mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, to obtain an enhanced concentration of the predetermined isotopic molecules, and wherein the molecules comprising the mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules have photon-inducible transitions between a lower molecular energy state of rovibrational levels and a higher molecular energy state of rovibrational levels, thereby defining a rovibrational photon absorption band, and wherein said molecules of said higher molecular energy state have a predetermined molecular vibration, and wherein said absorption band of the chemically identical but isotopically different molecules containing the predetermined isotope are frequency-shifted with respect to the absorption band of the other chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, and said absorption band having predetermined regions wherein the absorption cross-section of said predetermined isotopic molecules is larger than the absorption cross-section of the other isotopic molecules at a predetermined frequency within said predetermined region, the improvement comprising the steps of: generating a beam of photons having a frequency corresponding to said predetermined frequency; maintaining the mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules at a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature; irradiating the mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules with said photons at said predetermined frequency to cause transitions of said chemically identical but isotopically different molecules to said higher molecular energy state, and said photons having a flux density to provide a rate of said transitions greater than the collisional de-excitation rate of the predetermined molecular vibration, thereby providing a population of molecules having said predetermined molecular vibration of said higher molecular energy state greater than the population of said molecules having said predetermined molecular vibration of said lower molecular energy state; providing a chemically reactive agent to said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, for preselected reaction therewith, and said chemically reactive agent having a reaction rate with said molecules in said higher energy state having said predetermined molecular vibration greater than the reaction rate of said agent with molecules at said lower energy state, and said reaction providing a chemical compound in a predetermined physicochemical state different from the physiocochemical state of said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules in said lower molecular energy state; selectively removing said chemical compound; and selectively recovering said predetermined isotope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
394 words
In a process for obtaining a predetermined isotope by separating predetermined isotopic molecules of the predetermined isotope from a mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, to obtain an enhanced concentration of the predetermined isotopic molecules, and wherein the molecules comprising the mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules have photon-inducible transitions between a lower molecular energy state of rovibrational levels and a higher molecular energy state of rovibrational levels, thereby defining a rovibrational photon absorption band, and wherein said molecules of said higher molecular energy state have a predetermined molecular vibration, and wherein said absorption band of the chemically identical but isotopically different molecules containing the predetermined isotope are frequency-shifted with respect to the absorption band of the other chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, and said absorption band having predetermined regions wherein the absorption cross-section of said predetermined isotopic molecules is larger than the absorption cross-section of the other isotopic molecules at a predetermined frequency within said predetermined region, the improvement comprising the steps of: generating a beam of photons having a frequency corresponding to said predetermined frequency; maintaining the mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules at a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature; irradiating the mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules with said photons at said predetermined frequency to cause transitions of said chemically identical but isotopically different molecules to said higher molecular energy state, and said photons having a flux density to provide a rate of said transitions greater than the collisional de-excitation rate of the predetermined molecular vibration, thereby providing a population of molecules having said predetermined molecular vibration of said higher molecular energy state greater than the population of said molecules having said predetermined molecular vibration of said lower molecular energy state; providing a chemically reactive agent to said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, for preselected reaction therewith, and said chemically reactive agent having a reaction rate with said molecules in said higher energy state having said predetermined molecular vibration greater than the reaction rate of said agent with molecules at said lower energy state, and said reaction providing a chemical compound in a predetermined physicochemical state different from the physiocochemical state of said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules in said lower molecular energy state; selectively removing said chemical compound; and selectively recovering said predetermined isotope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The process defined in claim 1 and wherein: said predetermined region of said absorption band comprises a substantially continuous absorption contour having a high absorption cross-section in a central portion thereof, and a low absorption cross-section less than said high absorption cross-section on slopes thereof, said isotopic frequency shift providing a difference between the magnitude of the photon absorption cross-section of the predetermined isotopic molecule and the magnitude of photon absorption cross-section of the other isotopic molecules, said difference being greater at a predetermined frequency on said slope portion than in said central portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
The process defined in claim 2 wherein: said mixture is chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 ; said predetermined isotopic molecules comprise U 238 F 6 in a mixture of U 235 F 6 and U 238 F 6 ; said predetermined absorption region comprises the envelope of Q-branches of the hot bands; said predetermined frequency comprises a frequency on a slope portion of said Q-branches envelope intermediate the central portion of said absorption envelope and adjacent P-branches region; and the absorption cross-section of the U 238 F 6 is greater than the absorption cross-section of the U 235 F 6 at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process defined in claim 3 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the ν 3 absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process defined in claim 4, wherein the step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a laser selected from the class consisting of a ClF, BrF, BCl, SO 2 , CO 2 and SF 6 lasers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process defined in claim 3 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the (ν 1 + ν 3 ) absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process as defined in claim 6, wherein the step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a BF laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process defined in claim 3 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slopein the (ν 2 + ν 3 ) absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
The process as defined in claim 8, wherein the step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a laser selected from the class consisting of O 18 C 12 S 36 , O 18 C 13 S 36 , O 18 C 12 S 36 , O 18 C 12 S 34 , O 16 C 12 S 36 , CS, and BF lasers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process defined in claim 3 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the (ν 3 + ν 5 ) absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process defined in claim 3 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the 3ν 3 absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process defined in claim 11, wherein said step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of a CO laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process defined in claim 3 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the (ν 3 + ν 4 + ν 6 ) absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process defined in claim 13, wherein the step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a CO 2 laser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process defined in claim 2, wherein: said predetermined pressure is in the range of 0.01 and 760 Torr.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
109 words
The process defined in claim 2 wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 ; said predetermined isotopic molecules comprise U 235 F 6 in a mixture of U 235 F 6 and U 238 F 6 ; said predetermined absorption region comprises the envelope of Q-branches of the hot bands; said predetermined frequency comprises a frequency on a slope portion of said Q-branches envelope intermediate the central portion of said Q-branches envelope and adjacent hot R-branches region; and the absorption cross-section of the U 235 F 6 is greater than the absorption cross-section of the U 238 F 6 at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process defined in claim 16 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the ν 3 absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process defined in claim 17, wherein the step generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a laser selected from the class consisting of a ClF, BrF, BCl, SO 2 , CO 2 and SF 6 lasers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process defined in claim 16, wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the (ν 1 + ν 3 ) absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process defined in claim 19, wherein the step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a BF laser.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process defined in claim 16 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the (ν 2 + ν 3 ) absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
The process defined in claim 21, wherein the step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a laser selected from the class consisting of O 16 C 13 S 34 , O 18 C 12 S 32 , O 18 C 12 S 34 , CS, and BF lasers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process defined in claim 16 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the (ν 3 + ν 5 ) absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process defined in claim 16 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the 3ν 3 absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process defined in claim 24, wherein said step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of a CO laser.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process defined in claim 16 wherein: said predetermined frequency is on said Q-branches slope in the (ν 3 + ν 4 + ν 6 ) absorption band of UF 6 .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process defined in claim 26, wherein the step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a CO 2 laser.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process as defined in claim 16, wherein: said preselected reaction is the dissociation of UF 6 into at least one of UF 5 and UF 4 solid reduction products; and further comprising the step of: intermittently removing said solid reduction products.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process as defined in claim 28, wherein: said transitions of said chemically identical but isotopically different molecules are induced by multiphoton absorption; and said step of generating a beam of photons further comprising the steps of inducing the emission of photons from a focused laser.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as defined in claim 29 and further comprising the step of: pulsing said laser.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process as defined in claim 28, wherein: the chemically reactive agent is selected from the class consisting of gaseous hydrogen and helium.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process as defined in claim 28, wherein: the chemically reactive agent is a surface-active catalyst selected from the class consisting of platinum, nickel, aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide, and said surface-active catalyst is in a form selected from the class of wires, chips, and rings.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process as defined in claim 28, further comprising the step of cooling a preselected portion of said reaction chamber, and said solid reduction products are precipitated in said cooled portion of said reaction chamber, and intermittently removing said solid precipitate product from said reaction chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process as defined in claim 33, and further comprising the steps of: continuously supplying said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules to said reaction chamber; and continuously removing said unreacted and other gaseous products from said reaction chamber.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process as defined in claim 33, and further comprising the steps of: intermittently supplying said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules to said reaction chamber; and intermittently removing the unreacted and other gaseous products from the reaction chamber.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process as defined in claim 28, wherein: said step of intermittent solid product removal further comprises the steps of refluorination and regasification of the solid reduction product to reform gaseous UF 6 , and pumping said reformed gaseous UF 6 from said reaction chamber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
110 words
The process defined in claim 1, wherein: said absorption band comprises at least one continuous, solid hot Q-branches contour in said central portion of said absorption band, and having structured regions of hot P-branches and R-branches adjacent thereto containing a plurality of high absorption peaks and low absorption holes, and said predetermined region of said absorption band comprises said structured regions of said hot P-branches and R-branches containing said plurality of said high absorption peaks and low absorption holes; said predetermined frequency is a frequency where at least one of said high absorption peaks of the predetermined isotopic molecule coincides with a low absorption hole of the other isotopic molecules.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
90 words
The process defined in claim 37, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 ; said predetermined isotopic molecules comprise U 235 F 6 in a mixture of U 235 F 6 and U 238 F 6 ; said predetermined frequency is in at least one of said P-branches and R-branches region of the ν 3 absorption band of UF 6 ; the absorption cross-section of U 235 F 6 is greater than the absorption cross-section of U 238 F 6 at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process defined in claim 38, wherein the step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a laser selected from the class consisting of a ClF, BrF, BCl and SO 2 , CO 2 and SF 6 lasers.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process defined in claim 38, wherein: said preselected reaction is the dissociation of UF 6 into at least one of UF 5 and UF 4 solid reduction products; and further comprising the step of: intermittently removing said solid reduction products.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process as defined in claim 40, wherein: the chemically reactive agent is selected form the class consisting of gaseous hydrogen and helium.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process as defined in claim 40, wherein: the chemically reactive agent is a surface-active catalyst selected from the class consisting of platinum, nickel, aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide, and said surface-active catalyst is in a form selected form the class of wires, chips, and rings.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process as defined in claim 40, wherein: said transitions of said chemically identical but isotopically different molecules are induced by multiphoton absorption; and said step of generating a beam of photons further comprising the steps of inducing the emission of photons from a focused laser.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as defined in claim 43 and further comprising the step of: pulsing said laser.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
91 words
The process defined in claim 37, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 ; said predetermined isotopic molecules comprise U 238 F 6 in a mixture of U 235 F 6 and U 238 F 6 ; said predetermined frequency is in at least one of said P-branches and R-branches region of the ν 3 absorption band of UF 6 ; and the absorption cross-section of U 238 F 6 is greater than the absorption cross-section of U 235 F 6 at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process defined in claim 45, wherein the step of generating a beam of photons further comprises the step of inducing the emission of photons from a laser selected from the class consisting of a ClF, BrF, BCl, SO 2 , CO 2 and SF 6 lasers.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process defined in claim 37, wherein: said predetermined pressure is in the range of 0.01 and 10 Torr.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
108 words
The process defined in claim 37, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 ; said predetermined isotopic molecules comprise U 235 F 6 in a mixture of U 235 F 6 and U 238 F 6 ; said predetermined frequency is in at least one of said P-branches and R-branches region of a combination vibrational absorption band of UF 6 comprised of a plurality normal vibrations and at least one of said normal vibrations is the ν 3 vibration; the absorption cross-section of U 235 F 6 is greater than the absorption cross-section of U 238 F 6 at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
108 words
The process defined in claim 37, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 ; said predetermined isotopic molecules comprise U 238 F 6 in a mixture of U 235 F 6 and U 238 F 6 : said predetermined frequency is in at least one of said P-branches and R-branches region of a combination vibrational absorption band of UF 6 comprised of a plurality normal vibrations and at least one of said normal vibrations is the ν 3 vibration; the absorption cross-section of U 238 F 6 is greater than the absorption cross-section of U 235 F 6 at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process defined in claim 1, wherein: said predetermined molecular vibration is the ν 3 vibration.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process defined in claim 1, wherein: the steps of selectively removing said chemical compound and selectively recovering said predetermined isotope further comprises the steps of differential freezing of the chemical compound, the unreacted chemically identical but isotopically different molecules and unreacted chemically reactive agent to separate the constituents thereof.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process defined in claim 1, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules is provided with said chemically reactive agent in a mole-ratio in a range between 1 to 1 and 1 to 20 parts chemically identical but isotopically different molecules to chemically reactive agent.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process defined in claim 52, wherein: the chemically reactive agent is selected from the class consisting of hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide and mixtures of hydrogen and hydrogen chloride, hydrogen and hydrogen bromide, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide, and hydrogen, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
68 words
The process defined in claim 52, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 , said chemically reactive agent is hydrogen chloride, and said chemical reaction is one of an exothermic and thermoneutral reaction of UF 6 with hydrogen chloride producing gaseous UF 5 Cl and gaseous HF, and in which said HF is in one of the ground and excited vibrational levels.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
68 words
The process defined in claim 52, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 , said chemically reactive agent is hydrogen bromide, and said chemical reaction is one of an exothermic and thermoneutral reaction of UF 6 with hydrogen bromide producing gaseous UF 5 Br and gaseous HF and in which said HF is in one of the ground and excited vibrational levels.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process defined in claim 52, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 , said chemically reactive agent is a mixture of hydrogen, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen bromide, and said chemical reaction produces UF 5 Cl, UF 5 Br, and HF.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process defined in claim 1, wherein: the chemically reactive agent is selected from the class consisting of hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide and mixtures of hydrogen and hydrogen chloride, hydrogen and hydrogen bromide, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide, and hydrogen, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
68 words
The process defined in claim 1, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 , said chemically reactive agent is hydrogen chloride, and said chemical reaction is one of an exothermic and thermoneutral reaction of UF 6 with hydrogen chloride producing gaseous UF 5 Cl and gaseous HF, and in which said HF is in one of the ground and excited vibrational levels.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
68 words
The process defined in claim 1, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 , said chemically reactive agent is hydrogen bromide, and said chemical reaction is one of an exothermic and thermoneutral reaction of UF 6 with hydrogen bromide producing gaseous UF 5 Br and gaseous HF and in which said HF is in one of the ground and excited vibrational levels.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process defined in claim 1, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules comprises UF 6 , said chemically reactive agent is a mixture of hydrogen, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen bromide, and said chemical reaction produces UF 5 Cl, UF 5 Br, and HF.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process defined in claim 1, wherein: said predetermined temperature is in the range of 100° to 300° Kelvin.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
118 words
The process as defined in claim 1, and further comprising the steps of: retaining said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules and reactive agent in a reaction chamber for a predetermined hold-up time; said steps of selectively removing said chemical compound and selectively recovering said predetermined isotope further comprises the step of removing the contents of said reaction chamber and subjecting said contents to a sequence of differential freezing chambers maintained at preselected different temperatures wherein each chemical species having a different freezing point is successively frozen out, collected, and separated; and said hold-up time in said reaction chamber is selected to provide said chemical reaction of approximately 5% to 99% of the preselected isotopic molecules.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process defined in claim 62, wherein: said reaction chamber has an optical path length to said photons having said predetermined frequency to provide approximately 10% to 99% of said photons absorbed by said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process defined in claim 62, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules and reactive agent are continuously supplied to said reaction chamber, and chemical product and unreacted components are continuously pumped out of said reaction chamber.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process defined in claim 62, wherein: said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules and reactive agent are intermittently supplied to said reaction chamber in predetermined mixed amounts and said chemical product and unreacted components are intermittently removed from said reaction chamber to provide a batch feed and batch removal process.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
137 words
In an isotope separation arrangement of the type having photon induced transitions at a predetermined frequency of at least one isotopic molecule of a medium comprised of a mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, the improvement comprising: a laser means for generating a beam of photons having energy at said predetermined frequency, and said laser means further comprising: a coupled, two-legged optical laser resonator means having: a short leg having a variable length, and a long leg; a grating means for coarse tuning the frequency at the photons contained in said beam of photons; control means connected to said short leg for varying the length thereof; whereby variations in said length of said short leg within a predetermined range of lengths provides fine tuning at the frequency of the photons in said beam of photons.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
137 words
In an isotope separation arrangement of the type having photon induced transitions at a predetermined frequency of at least one isotopic molecule of a medium comprised of a mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, the improvement comprising: a laser means for generating a beam of photons having energy at said predetermined frequency, and said laser means further comprising: a coupled, two-legged optical laser resonator means having: a short leg having a variable length, and a long leg; a grating means for coarse tuning the frequency at the photons contained in said beam of photons; control means connected to said short leg for varying the length thereof; whereby variations in said length of said short leg within a predetermined range of lengths provides fine tuning at the frequency of the photons in said beam of photons.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
61 words
The arrangement defined in claim 66 further comprising: said control means for varying said length of said short leg comprising: detector means for detecting variations in the frequency of said photons and generating a first control signal in response thereto; a piezo-electric micro-positioning means for receiving said first control signal and varying said length of said short leg in response thereto.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
88 words
The arrangement defined in claim 66, further comprising: a long leg oscillation means for cyclically varying the length of said long leg at a frequency of at least 50 Hz and at an oscillation amplitude of at least as small as half the wavelength of said photons in said beam of photons, and said oscillation means further comprises: a piezo-electric micro-positioning means connected to said long leg; means for applying a voltage input to said micro-positioning means; and means for cyclically varying the magnitude of said voltage input.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
68 words
The arrangement defined in claim 66 and further comprising: a reaction chamber for containing said medium comprised of said mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules; said laser further comprises a pair of end mirrors; and said reaction chamber is positioned between said end mirrors of said laser; and said at least one isotopic molecule comprises a molar concentration in said medium of less than approximately 2%.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an isotope separation arrangement of the type having photon induced transitions at a predetermined frequency of at least one isotopic molecule of a medium comprised of a mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, the improvement comprising: a laser means for generating a beam of photons having energy at said predetermined frequency, and said laser means further comprising: a pair of end mirrors; a filter cell means positioned between said pair of end mirrors; a medium contained in said filter cell and said medium comprising a collection of said isotopic molecules and substantially free of said at least one isotopic molecule whereby the generation of photons having frequencies other than said predetermined frequency is suppressed.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an isotope separation arrangement of the type having photon induced transitions at a predetermined frequency of at least one isotopic molecule of a medium comprised of a mixture of chemically identical but isotopically different molecules, the improvement comprising: a laser means for generating a beam of photons having energy at said predetermined frequency, and said laser means further comprising: a pair of end mirrors; a filter cell means positioned between said pair of end mirrors; a medium contained in said filter cell and said medium comprising a collection of said isotopic molecules and substantially free of said at least one isotopic molecule whereby the generation of photons having frequencies other than said predetermined frequency is suppressed.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process as defined in claim 1, wherein: said chemically reactive agent is substantially free of strong absorption of said photons at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process defined in claim 1 wherein the chemically reactive agent is selected from the class consisting of hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen, and any mixture of hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, and hydrogen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3740552A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-10-03 | 1982-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-03 | 1985-10-03 | 1986-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-03 | 1989-10-03 | 1990-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |