Laser assisted jet nozzle isotope separation

A system for isotope separation is described in which separation, dependent upon scale height difference, is augmented by changing a factor affecting scale height selectively, by isotope type. Specifically, a nozzle configuration is employed having an accelerating channel with an optically straight dimension transverse to the flow which is illuminated with tuned laser radiation to induce vibrational excitation of one isotope type in the mixture applied through the channel. The vibrational excitation, in the presence of a substantial proportion of carrier gas, is converted to a thermal excitation of the one isotope type. The selective thermal excitation of this one isotope type can be used to greatly augment the difference in scale height between the molecules of the two isotope types employed in the nozzle separation system. The result is a substantial increase in the efficiency of the separation system, requiring fewer stages of separation by improving the separation factor in each nozzle stage. (auth)