AN IN-SITU URANIUM ISOTOPE MEASUREMENT FOR USE IN ATOMIC VAPOR LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION

AN INSTRUMENT IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL QUANTITATIVELY MEASURE ISOTOPIC RATIOS ON A SOLID OR LIQUID SURFACE OF URANIUM (OR OTHER ELEMENTS). THE INSTRUMENT USES A PULSED ION BEAM AT GRAZING INCIDENCE TO KNOCK SURFACE ATOMS OFF IN BILLIARD BALL TYPE COLLISIONS. SOME OF THESE ATOMS ARE IONIZED AND CAN BE FOCUSED THROUGH A HIGH RESOLUTION TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETER. A HIGH DUTY CYCLE ALLOWS RAPID DETERMINATION OF ISOTOPIC RATIOS IN A FEW SECONDS WITHHIGH PRECISION. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR BEING A MUCH SIMPLER AND LESS EXPENSIVE APPROACH TO THESE MEASUREMENTS THAN PRESENT METHODS. IT WILL BE COMPLEMENTARY TO EXISTING TECHNIQUES.