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US4793907A
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Method for isotope enrichment of mercury-196 by selective photoionization
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1986-08-20
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Granted: 1988-12-27
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Expires: 2006-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for selectively photoionizing 196 Hg atoms in a vapor utilizing a three or four-step photoionization process.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Paisner
- 👤 John K. Crane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:34
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for selectively photoionizing 196 Hg atoms in a vapor comprising the naturally-occurring distribution of mercury isotopes, comprising the steps of subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a first radiation source at a first determined wavelength of 2537 Å; subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a second radiation source at a second wavelength of 2655 Å; and subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a third radiation source at a third wavelength of less than about 1.40 microns whereby the additive effect of said sources upon said vapor selectively ionizes 196 Hg atoms.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for selectively photoionizing 196 Hg atoms in a vapor comprising the naturally-occurring distribution of mercury isotopes, comprising the steps of subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a first radiation source at a first determined wavelength of 2537 Å; subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a second radiation source at a second wavelength of 2655 Å; and subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a third radiation source at a third wavelength of less than about 1.40 microns whereby the additive effect of said sources upon said vapor selectively ionizes 196 Hg atoms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said radiation sources comprise one or more solid state laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said first radiation source comprises an alexandrite solid state laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said second radiation source comprises a Nd 3+ -doped solid state laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said third radiation source comprises a Nd 3+ -doped solid state laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the radiation by at least one of said radiation sources comprises a copper vapor laser or copper vapor pumped dye laser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein said first radiation source comprises a copper vapor laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein said second radiation source comprises a copper vapor laser.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for selectively photoionizing 196 Hg atoms in a vapor comprising the naturally-occurring distribution of mercury isotopes, comprising the steps of subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a first radiation source at a first determined wavelength of 2537 Å; subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a second radiation source at a second wavelength of 2279 Å; and subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a third radiation source at a third wavelength of less than about 1.40 microns whereby the additive effect of said sources upon said vapor selectively ionizes 196 Hg atoms.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for selectively photoionizing 196 Hg atoms in a vapor comprising the naturally-occurring distribution of mercury isotopes, comprising the steps of subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a first radiation source at a first determined wavelength of 2537 Å; subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a second radiation source at a second wavelength of 2279 Å; and subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a third radiation source at a third wavelength of less than about 1.40 microns whereby the additive effect of said sources upon said vapor selectively ionizes 196 Hg atoms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said first radiation source comprises an alexandrite solid state laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said first radiation source comprises a copper vapor laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said second radiation source comprises a copper vapor laser.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said third radiation source comprises a Nd 3+ -doped solid state laser.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for selectively photoionizing 196 Hg atoms in a vapor comprising the naturally-occurring distribution of mercury isotopes, comprising the steps of subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a first radiation source at a first determined wavelength of 2537 Å; subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a second radiation source at a second wavelength of 4358 Å; subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a third radiation source at a third wavelength of 4786 Å; and subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a fourth radiation source at a fourth wavelength of less than about 1.40 microns whereby the additive effect of said sources upon said vapor selectively ionizes 196 Hg atoms.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for selectively photoionizing 196 Hg atoms in a vapor comprising the naturally-occurring distribution of mercury isotopes, comprising the steps of subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a first radiation source at a first determined wavelength of 2537 Å; subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a second radiation source at a second wavelength of 4358 Å; subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a third radiation source at a third wavelength of 4786 Å; and subjecting said vapor to radiation emitted by a fourth radiation source at a fourth wavelength of less than about 1.40 microns whereby the additive effect of said sources upon said vapor selectively ionizes 196 Hg atoms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein at least one of said radiation sources comprises a copper vapor laser or copper vapor pumped dye laser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the radiation by at least one of said radiation sources comprises a solid state laser.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
21 words
A method according to any of claims 1 through 13 wherein said third radiation source comprises an infrared carbon dioxide laser.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
21 words
A method according to any of claims 14 through 16 wherein said fourth radiation source comprises an infrared carbon dioxide laser.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-27 | 1992-06-27 | 1992-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-27 | 1996-06-27 | 1996-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-27 | 2000-06-27 | 2000-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |