Method and apparatus for extracting ions from a partially ionized plasma using a magnetic field gradient
First Claim
1. A system for separating particles from a plasma to permit separate collection thereof comprising:
- means for generating a plasma with a predetermined flow and having ionized particles of a predetermined isotope type;
means for applying a magnetic field to said plasma;
said magnetic field applying means including means for producing a gradient in the applied magnetic field with the direction opposite to the gradient being in a direction diffrent from the flow of said plasma;
the gradient producing an acceleration on the flowing ionized particles of said plasma to accelerate them in the direction of weaker magnetic field.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for separating selectively ionized particles from a plasma of moving particles by application of a magnetic field gradient in a direction to which the ionized particles are to be accelerated for collection. By creating conditions of adiabatic particle motion for charged particles in the magnetic field, the selectively ionized particles will be induced to follow the magnetic field lines in the direction of weaker field strength. The direction of this gradient is made different from the general direction of particle motion to permit extraction of the ions from the plasma. The extracted ions deposit on a collection surface in enriched proportions.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A system for separating particles from a plasma to permit separate collection thereof comprising:
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means for generating a plasma with a predetermined flow and having ionized particles of a predetermined isotope type; means for applying a magnetic field to said plasma; said magnetic field applying means including means for producing a gradient in the applied magnetic field with the direction opposite to the gradient being in a direction diffrent from the flow of said plasma; the gradient producing an acceleration on the flowing ionized particles of said plasma to accelerate them in the direction of weaker magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for separating particles of one isotope type from an environment having particles of plural isotope types, said system comprising:
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a chamber; means for establishing a vapor flow in said chamber to define said environment of plural isotope types; a conducting coil for applying a non-uniform magnetic field in said chamber with a gradient generally in the direction of said coil; the direction opposite to said gradient being a direction which is other than antiparallel to the direction of said vapor flow; a laser system periodically applying laser radiant energy to the vapor flow of said chamber in the region of said magnetic field gradient; said laser radiant energy having photons of an energy which produces isotopically selective ionization of particles of said one isotope type in said vapor flow; the gradient in said magnetic field inducing an acceleration on the ionized particles in the direction opposite to the gradient; and means for collecting the accelerated ionized particles apart from said vapor flow in the environment. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for separating particles from a plasma to permit separate collection thereof comprising the steps of:
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generating a plasma with a predetermined flow and having ionized particles of a predetermined isotope type; applying a magnetic field to said plasma; the applied magnetic field having a gradient in the applied magnetic field with the direction opposite to the gradient being different from the flow of said plasma; the gradient producing an acceleration on the flowing ionized particles of said plasma to accelerate them in the direction of weaker magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for separating particles of one isotope type from an environment having particles of plural isotope types, said method comprising the steps of:
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establishing a vapor flow in a chamber to define said environment of plural isotope types; applying by a coil a non-uniform magnetic field in said chamber with a gradient generally in the direction of said coil; the direction opposite to said gradient being a direction which is other than antiparallel to the direction of said vapor flow; periodically applying laser radiant energy to the vapor flow of said chamber in the region of said magnetic field gradient; said laser radiant energy having photons of an energy which produces isotopically selective ionization of particles of said one isotope type in said vapor flow; the gradient in said magnetic field inducing an acceleration on the ionized particles in the direction opposite to the gradient; and collecting the accelerated ionized particles apart from said vapor flow in the environment. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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42. A method for separating ions from a plasma comprising the steps of:
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generating a plasma with a predetermined flow having ionized particles of a predetermined isotope type; applying a magnetic field to the flowing plasma with a gradient therein in a direction to accelerate the ions of said plasma substantially in the direction of weaker magnetic field in said gradient; and orienting said gradient to provide said acceleration in a direction distinct from the plasma flow direction.
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43. A method for separating ions from a plasma comprising the steps of:
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generating a vapor flow of particles including uranium; directing said uranium vapor flow into the region of a magnetic field gradient; photoionizing predetermined particles of said uranium vapor flow in the region of said magnetic field gradient; and separately collecting the ions accelerated by said magnetic field gradient in the direction of weaker magnetic field.
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Specification