Isotope separation process

A process for the separation of isotopes of an element, preferably uranium, utilizes certain uranyl compounds having the formula (UO2AA')sub(n), wherein A and A' are the same or different monovalent anions and n is an integer greater than 1, preferably 2, 3 or 4. The uranyl compound is vaporized in a heated oven to produce a molecular beam which is irradiated by a CW CO2 laser beam. Molecules containing one of the isotopes absorb radiation from the laser beam preferentially over molecules of the other isotope and undergo unimolecular dissociation. The dissociation fragments to which sufficient random translational energy is imparted leave the molecular beam and are collected by cooled cylindrical collector. (author)