Isotope separation of silicon and molybdenum using a free electron laser

Abstract The isotope separation of silicon and molybdenum was studied with a free electron laser (FEL). The FEL was used to irradiate flowing Si2F6 between 1000 and 800 cm−1 wavenumbers and to irradiate MoF6 at 740 cm−1. Enrichments of 29Si and 30Si were detected by 1000 cm−1 irradiation. A similar tendency with the 29Si and 30Si concentration as a function of the wavenumber resulted with a CO2 laser irradiation. The maximum concentration occurred at around 950–955 cm−1 for 30Si and 960 cm−1 for 29Si. The concentration of 29Si was also detected at 800 cm−1 band. 98MoF6 and 100MoF6 were selectively decomposed and 92Mo and 94Mo were concentrated in the residual gas after the FEL irradiation at 728 cm−1 but the enrichment was small.