US4085332A
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Apparatus for extraction and separation of a preferentially photo-dissociated molecular isotope into positive and negative ions by means of an electric field
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1976-06-03
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Granted: 1978-04-18
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Expires: 1996-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the separation and extraction of molecular isotopes. Molecules of one and the same isotope are preferentially photo-dissociated by a laser and an ultra-violet source, or by multi-photon absorption of laser radiation. The resultant ions are confined with a magnetic field, moved in opposite directions by an electric field, extracted from the photo-dissociation region by means of screening and accelerating grids, and collected in ducts.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Fletcher James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Horst E. Wilhelm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:34
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/50; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/12; B01J19/121; B01J19/122; B01J19/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for separating and extracting isotopes of a gaseous mixture containing a first isotope species having a first excitation energy level and a second isotope species having an excitation energy level different from the first excitation level comprising: a first radiation source for subjecting the gaseous mixture to radiation at a predetermined frequency that excites the molecules of the first isotope and not the molecules of the second isotope; a second radiation source for subjecting the gaseous mixture to radiation at a predetermined frequency which dissociates the excited molecules of the first isotope into dissociation products of opposite charge but not the nonexcited molecules of the second isotope; a magnetic field for confining the charged dissociation products in the mixture; an electric field means for selectively moving the dissociation products of opposite charge in the mixture in opposite directions; one grid means having a first region characterized by a first potential difference for accelerating the dissociation products of positive charge in the mixture through said first region; a second grid means having a second region characterized by a second potential difference for accelerating the dissociation products of negative charge in the mixture through said second region; a first collection means for collecting the dissociation products of a positive charge comprising a first duct; and a second collection means for collecting the dissociation products of negative charge comprising a second duct.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for separating and extracting isotopes of a gaseous mixture containing a first isotope species having a first excitation energy level and a second isotope species having an excitation energy level different from the first excitation level comprising: a first radiation source for subjecting the gaseous mixture to radiation at a predetermined frequency that excites the molecules of the first isotope and not the molecules of the second isotope; a second radiation source for subjecting the gaseous mixture to radiation at a predetermined frequency which dissociates the excited molecules of the first isotope into dissociation products of opposite charge but not the nonexcited molecules of the second isotope; a magnetic field for confining the charged dissociation products in the mixture; an electric field means for selectively moving the dissociation products of opposite charge in the mixture in opposite directions; one grid means having a first region characterized by a first potential difference for accelerating the dissociation products of positive charge in the mixture through said first region; a second grid means having a second region characterized by a second potential difference for accelerating the dissociation products of negative charge in the mixture through said second region; a first collection means for collecting the dissociation products of a positive charge comprising a first duct; and a second collection means for collecting the dissociation products of negative charge comprising a second duct.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for separating and extracting isotopes of a gaseous mixture containing a first isotope species having a first excitation energy level and a second isotope species having an excitation level different from the first excitation level comprising: a laser for subjecting the gaseous isotope mixture to a beam tubed to match the energy levels of the first isotope and which has sufficient power density to directly dissociate this molecular isotope by sequential absorbtion of n photons into changed dissociation products but not the second molecular isotope; a magnetic field for confining the charged dissociation products in the mixture; an electric field means for selectively moving dissociation products of opposite charge in the mixture in opposite directions; one grid means having a first region characterized by a first potential difference for accelerating the dissociation products of positive charge in the mixture through said first region; another grid means having a second region characterized by a second potential difference for accelerating the dissociation products of negative charge in the mixture through said second region; a first collection means for collecting the dissociation products of positive charge; and, a second collection means for collecting the dissociation products of negative charge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for separating and extracting isotopes of a gaseous mixture containing a first isotope species having a first excitation energy level and a second isotope species having an excitation level different from the first excitation level comprising: a laser for subjecting the gaseous isotope mixture to a beam tubed to match the energy levels of the first isotope and which has sufficient power density to directly dissociate this molecular isotope by sequential absorbtion of n photons into changed dissociation products but not the second molecular isotope; a magnetic field for confining the charged dissociation products in the mixture; an electric field means for selectively moving dissociation products of opposite charge in the mixture in opposite directions; one grid means having a first region characterized by a first potential difference for accelerating the dissociation products of positive charge in the mixture through said first region; another grid means having a second region characterized by a second potential difference for accelerating the dissociation products of negative charge in the mixture through said second region; a first collection means for collecting the dissociation products of positive charge; and, a second collection means for collecting the dissociation products of negative charge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the beam of the laser has a high power density of greater than 10 8 watts/cm 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including means for neutralizing said dissociation products of positive change in first collection means.
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) | 1981-04-17 | 1981-10-17 | 1982-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-17 | 1985-10-17 | 1986-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-17 | 1989-10-17 | 1990-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |