Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation program

The AVLIS process is based on selective photoionization of the U235 isotope in an atomic vapor stream. The specifically tuned light is generated in dye lasers coherently pumped with copper vapor lasers. The resulting U235 ions are electrostatically removed from the vapor stream and condensed as a liquid on hot product collectors. The tails stream is also processed as liquid metal and continually removed from the process chamber. The basic science and technology for AVLIS have been demonstrated over the past 10 years in a variety of component and subscale integrated test systems. The program is now constructing and starting up several near full-scale demonstration facilities which are described. The motivation for AVLIS is in its inherently lower production costs and, thus, its impact on the U.S. position in the enrichment market. To assure the earliest deployment of the technology, conceptual design for a production facility is underway with a goal of low-cost SWU production in the early 1990s