Method and apparatus for separating ions of differing charge-to-mass ratio.

摘要

A method and apparatus for separating plural isotopes of a chemical substance is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first magnetic field generating device for generating a uniform axial first magnetic field and a second magnetic field generating device such as a wiggler for generating a non-uniform, twisted, second magnetic field. An ion source provides a stream of ions of isotopes to be separated, the stream passing through the first and second magnetic fields. Ions of different charge-to-mass ratio will follow different trajectories or paths through the magnetic fields. A collector is positioned with respect to the second magnetic field generating device such that only the ions of isotopes to be collected strike the collector means and are collected thereon. The method includes generating the first and second magnetic fields and passing a stream of ions to be separated through the first and second magnetic field, whereby ions of different charge-to-mass ratio travel along different predetermined paths or trajectories. The ions of the isotope following at least one of the predetermined paths are then collected.