METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ISOTOPE SEPARATION

摘要

Improvements in methods and apparatus for forming a large stream of dense plasma within a magnetic field and to the use of such a plasma for isotope separation. More specifically, the present invention teaches a technique and an apparatus by which high-density plasma may be formed, continuously, within a diverging-field portion of the magnetic field and flows into an adjacent region of uniform magnetic field intensity. This provides a large-diameter stream of plasma of substantially uniform density flowing longitudinally throughout the magnetic field. Improved method and apparatus (20) for subjecting a large-diameter dense plasma to an alternating electrical field of a frequency corresponding to the orbital frequency of selected-isotope ions, or a harmonic of that orbital frequency. An elongated induction-coil assembly, (21, 22, 23, 24) especially constructed and arranged to generate a rotating magnetic field, provides a magnetic vector extending generally, but not precisely, perpendicular to the axis of the plasma column (19). This magnetic field induces in the plasma column an alternating electric field having a normal-to-the-axis component and parallel-to-the-axis component, thereby enhancing penetration of the induced electric field into the interior of the plasma.