Spatial separation of components of gas mixtures and isotopes in a free supersonic jet

The results of an experimental investigation of a method of gas-dynamic separation, spatial separation of the components of gas mixtures and isotopes when they are injected into a jet of light carrier gas (hydrogen or helium), are presented. The density of the supersonic jet is investigated by drawing off gas with a skimmer into the high-vacuum space of a mass spectrometer. The main characteristic of the gas-dynamic separating element, namely, the dependence of the enrichment factor on the fraction of the component being selected, is found for the following mixtures: argon--helium, nitrogen--oxygen (air), and sulfur isotopes in the compound SF6. An attempt to increase the enrichment factor in a gas-dynamic system by using selective laser excitation of the molecules is described