US2926252A - Isotope separator - Google Patents

Isotope separator Download PDF

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Publication number
US2926252A
US2926252A US667413A US66741357A US2926252A US 2926252 A US2926252 A US 2926252A US 667413 A US667413 A US 667413A US 66741357 A US66741357 A US 66741357A US 2926252 A US2926252 A US 2926252A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
expanders
slats
ions
expander
distance
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US667413A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Slepian Joseph
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to BE568556D priority Critical patent/BE568556A/xx
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US667413A priority patent/US2926252A/en
Priority to GB17683/58A priority patent/GB837186A/en
Priority to DES58564A priority patent/DE1133917B/de
Priority to FR1207468D priority patent/FR1207468A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2926252A publication Critical patent/US2926252A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J17/00—Gas-filled discharge tubes with solid cathode
    • H01J17/02—Details
    • H01J17/14—Magnetic means for controlling the discharge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D59/00—Separation of different isotopes of the same chemical element
    • B01D59/44—Separation by mass spectrography
    • B01D59/48—Separation by mass spectrography using electrostatic and magnetic fields
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J49/00—Particle spectrometers or separator tubes
    • H01J49/26—Mass spectrometers or separator tubes
    • H01J49/28—Static spectrometers
    • H01J49/32—Static spectrometers using double focusing
    • H01J49/328—Static spectrometers using double focusing with a cycloidal trajectory by using crossed electric and magnetic fields, e.g. trochoidal type

Definitions

  • the patent relates to apparatus for separating isotopes in which a short are including'ions of the isotopes and electrons'is produced in a magnetic field parallel to the arc and the ions and electrons are subjected to an electric field produced in the space including the arc. The reaction of these electric and magnetic fields and the elect'rodes'producing them with the ions and electrons'effects the separation. p
  • the arc is generated between two electric field conductors which we shall call the expander electrodes near one end of these conductors.
  • the expander conductors may diverge or flare out and the arc may be produced between the expanders near the end where the distance between the expanders is a minimum.
  • the magnetic field for apparatus in which the electric field producing conductors diverge is produced by an electromagnet having generally triangular pole pieces at the opposite ends of the region defined between the conductorsl
  • a plurality of slats or plates extend be-. tween the expanders. These slats or plates are nearly radial in accordance with the specific aspects of this invention. So that the neutral molecules may pass through deposited predominately on the slats adjacent this negative conductor.
  • This invention in one of its important specific aspects arises from the realization that where the isotope collect-' ing slats are radial the deposit on the slats depends on the diffusion of the isotope ions to the slats. In the region of the slats the random velocities superimposed on the mean velocity of the ions (which is radial) 'is very small so that the diffusion rate is very small.
  • pairs of adjacent slats are conductively connected.
  • the effect of this connection is to produce a field distribution such that the isotope ions become deposited rapidly on the slats but the neutral molecules pass through the spaces between the slats.
  • eifect a field H v where H is the magnetic field and v the velocity of the ions
  • H v the magnetic field
  • v the velocity of the ions
  • Figure 1 is a view in transverse section showing an embodiment of this invention
  • Fig. 2 is a view in section taken along line II -II of Fig. l;
  • Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of this invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a graph illustrating the operation of this irivention.
  • the apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a container 11 in the form of a prism of generally triangular cross-section.
  • the container 11 may. have curvilinear sides as shown, or it may have straight sides.
  • the container is preferably composed of a non-magnetic metal and is provided with an exhaust tubulation 13' through which it may be evacuated to the pressure disclosed in the parent application in the manner disclosed therein.
  • A'pair of expanders 21'and 23, the expander "electrodes, are mounted within the container 11. These con duotors diverge from the apex 25 of the container to the opposite side 27 extending along the sides 29 and 31 joining the apex to the side 27;
  • the expanders 21 and 23 are suspended from the sides 29 and 31 by brackets or studs (not shown) in a manner well known in the art.
  • the cross-section of the expanders 21 and 23 may be of any diverging contour, it is preferable that they be of such contour that the slope of the curve of the conit is further desirable that the contour of the expanders satisfy the equation faces s52 where s is the distance along the contour of a conductor, x is the distance between the conductors measured in a direction perpendicular to a center line CL between the conductors, and k is-a constant and d the differential operator.
  • the distance L between the expanders 21 and 23 in the region where thespacing between them is .a minimum should be as small a fraction as practicable of the distance L between the conductors where distance is a maximum.
  • the space bounded by the expanders 21 and 23 should be closed electrostatically by shield plates 41 and 43 of non-magnetic conductive material extending a short distance from the edges of the conductors 21 and 23 but insulated from them.
  • the plates 41 and 43 may be singleplates or they may .be sets'of overlapping plates asshown (Fig. 1).
  • a plurality of slabs or slats or plates 71 extendbetween the conductors. These plates are desirably spaced a relatively short distance from each other and extend with their planes radial with respect to the are A as a center. In accordance with this invention pairs of adjacentplates 71 are connected by conductors 72. The plates 71 serve to collect the isotope ions.
  • A is produced within the region between expanders 21 and '23 near the end where the distance between them is a minimum. This are A is fired between a-pair of electrodes 51 and 53 supported from holders 55 and 57 sealed through insulators 59 and 61 in the container 11 and passing through potential impressing rings 201.
  • the electrodes are of the type disclosed in Patent 2,752,503 and are energized in the manner disclosed in Patent 2,752,503.
  • This potential may be impressed in the manner disclosed in Patent 2,752,503 from a suitable source 81.
  • the magnet is excited by coils 97 and 99 which may also be of generally triangular form and which enclose thepole pieces.
  • the electric field is applied between the field producing-expanders 21 and 23, the magnet 91 is excited, and the arc A is fired.
  • the are is of the type disclosed in .Patent 2,752,503.
  • the ions and electrons produced in theme are subjected to the magnetic field produced by the magnet 91 and to the electrical fieldin the region between the expanders 21 and 23.
  • FIG. 3 The operation of the apparatus is .illustratedinFig. 3.
  • the'field producing expanders 21 and 23 are shown in cross-section.
  • Depressiongnetic field is designated by'H
  • the'velocity of the positive ions by v the velocity of-theelectrons by u
  • the field by E the field by E.
  • the .field .E satisfies.
  • the isotope ions and electrons predominately flow into the region between the plates 71. Because of the connection .of the slats in pairs the ions are deposited on alternate slats andbecause of the orientation of the slats the neutral molecules pass through the slats. The ions are deposited on both sides of the slat of each connected pair which .is nearest the positive expander 21.
  • the distribution of the potential impressed on the slats is .shown in Fig. 4 in which potential is plotted vertically and distance as .measured by the spaces between slats .is plotted horizontally.
  • the slats 71 are at the potentials corresponding to Fig. 4 not by reason of any conductive connections between the expanders 23 and 21 and the slats 71 but by reason of the position of the slats inthe space between the ends of expanders 23 .and 21.
  • the light horizontal lines represent the potentials on the expanders 21 and 23.
  • the broken-line curve represents the potential distribution in the space where the slats are disposed in the apparatus of Patent 2,752,503.
  • the heavy sawtooth curve having horizontal and sloping sections represents the potential in the space between the successive connected pairs, and unconnected pairs of slats 71 in apparatus in accordance with this invention. As indicated the deposit is on the more negative of each pair of unconnected slats.
  • the slats 71 on the siderof thenegative expander 23 are progressively more enriched in the lighter isotope and the slats on the side of ,positive expander 21 are progressively more enrichedin the heavier isotope.
  • the neutral molecules pass through.
  • Apparatus .for separating isotopes 'ofa material including an evacuated container, means for producing .in said container an are including ions of said isotopes, means for impressing a magnetic field generally parallel to said are, .a zpair of oppositelydisposed expandershaving their surfaces generally parallel to said are, said expandersenclosingsaid arc in the region between them S said slats extending radial to said are as a center, adjacent pairs of slats being eonductively connected.
  • Apparatus for separating isotopes of a material including an evacuated container, means for producing in said container an are including ions of said isotopes, means for impressing electric fields including a pair of diverging expanders having their surfaces generally parallel to said are and means for impressing an electric potential between said expanders, said expanders enclosing said are between them near the end where the distance between them is a minimum, and a plurality of conducting slats extending between said expanders near the other end thereof, the planes of said slats extending radial to said arc as a center, adjacent pairs of slats being conductively connected.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the expanders diverge and the arc is produced near the region between said expanders where the distance between them is a minimum.
  • Apparatus for separating isotopes of a material ineluding an evacuated container means for producing in said container an are including ions of said isotopes, means for impressing a magnetic field generally parallel to said are and means for impressing circumferential electric fields around said are, each said field being maintained at the same polarity, the said apparatus being characterized by means for impressing electric fields including at least a pair of oppositely disposed expanders, the are being produced near one end of the region between said expanders, and by a plurality of slats extending between said expanders near the other ends thereof, the planes of said slats extending radially with respect to said are and alternate slats being conductively connected.
  • Apparatus for separating isotopes of a material including an evacuated container, means for producing in said container an are including ions of said isotopes, means for impressing a magnetic field generally parallel to said are and means for impressing circumferential electric fields around said are, the vectors representing said electric fields lying in planes generally perpendicular to said are, each said field being maintained at the same polarity, the said apparatus being characterized by means for impressing electric fields including a pair of diverging expanders, the are being produced between said expanders near the end where the distance between them is a minimum.
  • Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized by a plurality of spaced slabs insulated from each other and from the expanders extending between the ends of the expanders in the region where the distance between them is a maximum.
  • Apparatus according to claim 13 characterized by the fact that the expanders diverge and the are is produced near the region between said expanders where the distance between them is where s is the distance along said expander from the end where it is nearest the other expander, x is the distance between the expander measured along a line perpendicular to the center line between them, k is a constant and d is the difierential operator.
  • Apparatus for separating isotopes of a material including an evacuated container, means for producing in said container an are including ions of said isotopes, means for impressing a magnetic field generally parallel to said are and means for impressing electric fields around said are, the vectors representing said electric fields lying in planes generally perpendicular to said magnetic field, each said electric field being maintained at the same polarity, the said apparatus being characterized by means for impressing electric fields including at least a pair of oppositely disposed expanders, the are being produced near the region betwen said expanders near one end of the region between them.
  • Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by the fact that the curve of at least one expander at least approximately satisfies the equation where s is the distance along said expander from the end where it is nearest the other expander, x is the distance between the expanders measured along a line perpendicular to the center line between them, k is a constant and d is the difierential operator.
  • Apparatus for separating isotopes of a material including an evacuated container, means for producing in said container an are including ions of said isotopes, means for impressing a magnetic field generally parallel to said are, a pair of oppositely disposed expanders having their surfaces generally parallel to said are, said expanders extending radially from said are for impressing an electric field between said expanders, the vectors representing said last-named electric field lying in planes generally perpendicular to said magnetic field, said lastnamed electric field being maintained at a constant, polarity, and means for celleeting the isotopes produced by the interaction of said are and said last-named field, the said apparatus being characterized by collecting means including a plurality of slats with their planes extending generally radially with respect to said are as a center.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electron Tubes For Measurement (AREA)
  • Particle Accelerators (AREA)
US667413A 1957-06-24 1957-06-24 Isotope separator Expired - Lifetime US2926252A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE568556D BE568556A (sv) 1957-06-24
US667413A US2926252A (en) 1957-06-24 1957-06-24 Isotope separator
GB17683/58A GB837186A (en) 1957-06-24 1958-06-03 Improvements in or relating to separation of isotopes in electric and magnetic fields
DES58564A DE1133917B (de) 1957-06-24 1958-06-10 Einrichtung zur Isotopentrennung mit elektrischen und magnetischen Feldern
FR1207468D FR1207468A (fr) 1957-06-24 1958-06-18 Appareil à décharge électrique pour séparateur d'isotopes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US667413A US2926252A (en) 1957-06-24 1957-06-24 Isotope separator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2926252A true US2926252A (en) 1960-02-23

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US667413A Expired - Lifetime US2926252A (en) 1957-06-24 1957-06-24 Isotope separator

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US2926252A (sv)
BE (1) BE568556A (sv)
DE (1) DE1133917B (sv)
FR (1) FR1207468A (sv)
GB (1) GB837186A (sv)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1206263B (it) * 1987-02-27 1989-04-14 Tiriolo Cesare Pila ad acqua di mare a bassa autoscarica

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE939173C (de) * 1949-03-03 1956-02-16 Atlas Werke Ag Vorrichtung zur Beobachtung von Gasen oder Daempfen in Vakuumapparaten durch massenabhaengige Ionentrennung
NL201949A (sv) * 1954-11-18

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB837186A (en) 1960-06-09
DE1133917B (de) 1962-07-26
BE568556A (sv)
FR1207468A (fr) 1960-02-17

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