Method for Isotope Separation of Ytterbium

摘要

A method for isotope separation of ytterbium comprises isotope-selective photoionizing of a target isotope by use of a laser, and photoionizing of the target isotope from a metastable state to a continuum state or an auto-ionization state through excited states. The photoionized isotope ions of ytterbium can be separated within an electric field. With the method, it is possible to separate a great amount of ytterbium isotope by use of a simple apparatus while ensuring a highly economic efficiency in comparison with a conventional EM method.