US4302305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Isotope separation process
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1978-03-06
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Granted: 1981-11-24
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Expires: 1998-03-06
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses a method of separating the isotopes of an element which form a volatile compound having an isotopically shifted but overlapping infrared absorption spectrum. In the method, IR radiation of first and second laser frequencies are employed. The first infrared laser frequency produces a selective excitation of the desired isotope of the compound, while the second infrared laser frequency produces a higher multiphoton excitation which allows conversion of the excited compound.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Kaldor
- 👤 Paul Rabinowitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:42
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of separating the isotopes of an element which forms a volatile compound having an isotopically shifted but overlapping infrared absorption spectrum; the method including the steps of: (a) irradiating said volatile compound with a first infrared radiation of low power which is preferentially absorbed by a molecular vibration of molecules of said compound containing a predetermined isotope of said element thereby providing excited molecules of said compound enriched in said molecules of said compound containing said predetermined isotope of said element; (b) irradiating said volatile compound with a second infrared radiation of high power which is not substantially absorbed by said molecular vibration of said molecule at an intensity sufficient to further excite said excited molecules to undergo a conversion said second infrared radiation being shifted in frequency from the frequency of the first radiation so as not to cause power broadening of the preferential absorption transition; and (c) separating the converted molecules from the unconverted molecules.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of separating the isotopes of an element which forms a volatile compound having an isotopically shifted but overlapping infrared absorption spectrum; the method including the steps of: (a) irradiating said volatile compound with a first infrared radiation of low power which is preferentially absorbed by a molecular vibration of molecules of said compound containing a predetermined isotope of said element thereby providing excited molecules of said compound enriched in said molecules of said compound containing said predetermined isotope of said element; (b) irradiating said volatile compound with a second infrared radiation of high power which is not substantially absorbed by said molecular vibration of said molecule at an intensity sufficient to further excite said excited molecules to undergo a conversion said second infrared radiation being shifted in frequency from the frequency of the first radiation so as not to cause power broadening of the preferential absorption transition; and (c) separating the converted molecules from the unconverted molecules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 in which said conversion is achieved by decomposition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US4158614A
Cited
US3937956A
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-23 | 1985-05-25 | 1985-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-23 | 1989-05-25 | 1989-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-23 | 1993-05-25 | 1993-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |