Calutron

Abstract: The isotope separation program is described, emphasizing present state-of-the-art techniques utilized to achieve specific isotopic requirements. An interesting problem addressed here is the calutron enrichment of rare-earth isotopes where small quantities of feed (

Abstract: The availability of a broad spectrum of highly enriched stable isotopes is vitally important for the fabrication of nuclear targets for basic and applied research. The present separation effort at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory is insufficient to maintain equilibrium for the stable isotope inventory. The current technology that is being applied in the electromagnetic isotope separation process to minimize the stable isotope depletion rate is discussed. Three alternative separation processes, gas centrifugation, plasma cyclotron resonance separation, and laser separation, are evaluated as candidates to augment the present stable isotopes separation facility. The applicability of each process to the isotopic enrichment of the calutron feed material and to the selective production of isotopes is determined. The process energy demands are compared to those of the existing facilities. The isotopic enrichment of the feed material prior to a first pass through the calutrons can result in significant savings in energy and cost.