Isotope separation in rotating plasmas

The basic principles of separation of uranium isotopes in a rotating plasma are presented. Various effects which are specific to the plasma state are included in theoretical calculations of the spatial variations of density, rotational velocity, separation factor and separative power. The basic experimental work on uranium plasmas and rotating rare gas arcs is presented along with a description of the current rotating uranium plasma experiments. Two possible concepts of a plasma centrifuge are presented with calculations of separation factors separative powers and a tentative estimates of their specific energy requirements. (author)