Abstract: An optical partial pressure gas analyzer employs an electron beam to excite the outer electrons of gas atoms or molecules, and one or more photomultiplier tubes or other similar detectors to detect wavelengths of photons characteristic of the decay of the outer electrons of one or more species of gas molecules. The photomultiplier tubes have a viewing direction substantially at right angles to the electron beam. A Faraday trap or similar device is employed to avoid secondary electron generation. Thin-film interference filters are favorably employed to pass a specific characteristic wavelength of the desired species, and to reject other wavelengths. An electromechanical filter changer permits each photomultiplier tube to analyze two or more gasses alternately.

Abstract: A laser mass spectrometer comprises an electrode system and an ion detector system supported on a mounting flange. The electrode system defines an ionization space, an ion acceleration space and a time-of-flight or separation path. At least some of the electrode of the electrode system are removably mounted on support rods extending an axial or ion path direction, to allow accomodation of the distance between the ionization space and the mounting flange to the configuration of an apparatus or vacuum system with which the mass spectrometer is used. Thus, the distance between the mounting flange and the ionization space may be varied by using separation path of different length. The ionization is effected by laser radiation, which may be coupled in through a window in the mounting flange.

Abstract: Plasma enhancement is achieved in a plasma glow system by increasing the number of photoelectric electrons in the plasma glow by producing photoelectrons from the surface of a target in the system by the use of a radiation source. This is more particularly accomplished by flooding the surface of the target with a UV laser beam during the plasma process where emitted photoelectrons are injected into the plasma to increase the plasma density.The plasma enhancement is used in a sputter etching/deposition system which includes a chamber containing a cathode, a target, a substrate platform containing substrate and a pump. An ultraviolet light source such as a UV laser and focussing optics for focussing the UV radiation onto the target through a UV transmission window are also provided. A plasma region in the chamber is enhanced by photons from the laser striking the target and producing photoelectrons which are injected into the plasma to increase its density.

Abstract: A process for selectively neutralizing H.sup.- ions in a magnetic field to produce an intense negative hydrogen ion beam with spin polarized protons. Characteristic features of the process include providing a multi-ampere beam of H.sup.- ions that are intersected by a beam of laser light. Photodetachment is effected in a uniform magnetic field that is provided around the beam of H.sup.- ions to spin polarize the H.sup.- ions and produce first and second populations or groups of ions, having their respective proton spin aligned either with the magnetic field or opposite to it. The intersecting beam of laser light is directed to selectively neutralize a majority of the ions in only one population, or given spin polarized group of H.sup.- ions, without neutralizing the ions in the other group thereby forming a population of H.sup.- ions each of which has its proton spin down, and a second group or population of H.sup.o atoms having proton spin up.

Abstract: A variable energy, high flux atomic oxygen source (10) comprising means (48) for producing a high density beam of molecules which will emit O.sup.- ions when bombarded with electrons; means (44) for producing a high current stream of electrons at a low energy level passing through the high density beam of molecules to produce a combined stream (54) of electrons and O.sup.- ions; means (32) for accelerating the combined stream to a desired energy level; means (12) for producing an intense magnetic field to confine the electrons and O.sup.- ions; means (56, 58) for directing a multiple pass laser beam (62) through the combined stream to strip off the excess electrons from a plurality of the O.sup.- ions to produce ground-state O atoms within the combined stream; electrostatic deflection means (68, 70) for deflecting the path of the O.sup.- ions and the electrons in the combined stream; and, means (78) for stopping the O.sup.

Abstract: A simple photoionization technique for enriching a particular isotope of mercury in a naturally-occurring mixture employing an isotopically pure radiation source separately optimized for 253.7 nm. and 404.7 nm. emission, respectively. A vessel is provided for containing the naturally occurring mercury. This vessel may be part of either a flow or closed system. The radiation source brings the isotope from the 6.sup.1 S.sub.0 ground state to the 6.sup.3 P.sub.1 state wherein the nitrogen gas deactivates the isotope to bring the isotope to the long-lived 6.sup.3 P.sub.0 state. Thereafter, the source optimized at 404.7 nm. brings the isotope to the 7.sup.3 S.sub.1 state. At this level the atom may be easily photoionized either by a laser or a powerful visible incoherent radiation source.

Abstract: An ultrasensitive mass spectrometry method based on multiphoton sub-Doppler resonance ionization is used to measure abundance sensitivities. The method preferentially ionizes a selected isotope in a sample by using Doppler-free resonant multiphoton ionization to produce an enhanced ratio of selected isotopes. As necessary or desired, selected isotope ions are preferentially ionized by using a second Doppler-free resonant multiphoton ionization to provide an additional isotope enhancement. The ions produced are injected into a mass spectrometer (24). Isotopic spectrum analysis of the ions is performed by the spectrometer (24) and the ions are then detected by a detector (26) such as a particular photon multiplier capable of observing a single ion. In one embodiment, at least one of the steps of preferentially ionizing the selected isotope is accomplished by two counter propagating laser beams of slightly different frequencies.

Abstract: This invention is a method of detecting the presence of toxic and corrosive by-products in high voltage systems produced by electrically induced degradation of SF.sub.6 insulating gas in the presence of certain impurities. It is an improvement over previous methods because it is extremely sensitive, detecting by-products present in parts per billion concentrations, and because the device employed is of a simple design and takes advantage of the by-products natural affinity for fluoride ions. The method employs an ion-molecule reaction cell in which negative ions of the by-products are produced by fluorine attachment. These ions are admitted to a negative ion mass spectrometer and identified by their spectra. This spectrometry technique is an improvement over conventional techniques because the negative ion peaks are strong and not obscured by a major ion spectra of the SF.sub.6 component as is the case in positive ion mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for trace and other quantitative analysis with high efficiency of a component in a sample, with the analysis involving the removal by ion or other bombardment of a small quantity of ion and neutral atom groups from the sample, the conversion of selected neutral atom groups to photoions by laser initiated resonance ionization spectroscopy, the selective deflection of the photoions for separation from original ion group emanating from the sample, and the detection of the photoions as a measure of the quantity of the component. In some embodiments, the original ion group is accelerated prior to the RIS step for separation purposes. Noise and other interference are reduced by shielding the detector from primary and secondary ions and deflecting the photoions sufficiently to avoid the primary and secondary ions.

Abstract: Ions of a particular gas in a mixture of gases are made for mass spectrometry purposes by selectively electronically exciting the target gas and allowing the excited target gas to undergo a charge-exchange reaction with a reagent ion.

Abstract: A process is, herein, disclosed for separating a particular isotope from a mixture of different isotopes by selective excitation and ionization of the particular isotope with a single laser beam, said process comprising heating the mixture, converting the resulting atomic vapor to a highly directional atomic beam by suitable means, causing said atomic beam to travel through a vacuum, crossing the atomic beam with a high-intensity laser beam having a specific wavelength, selectively exciting the particular isotope with a first photon having that specific wavelength while the other isotopes remaining in the ground state, allowing the excited isotope to absorb a second photon to be excited to a virtual energy level, causing the so excited isotope to absorb a third photon to ionize said isotope, and recovering the ionized isotope by use of an electric or electromagnetic field.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for electrically charging particles of liquid or solid matter suspended in gases, especially in air. The particle carrying gas is irradiated with ultraviolet light having an energy below the threshold for ionization of the gas, but above the photoelectric threshold of the particles. The actual charging occurs by photoemission of electrons from the particles. The photoelectrons or negative small ions are removed from the neighborhood of the positively charged particles by diffusion to a charge absorbing surface. The photoelectric charging method and apparatus of the present invention are highly effective, particularly for very small particles and yields chemical information on the particles and their surface.

Abstract: A gaseous mixture containing elementary particles (atoms or molecules) of first and second isotopes is exposed to laser radiation at a predetermined frequency to excite elementary particles of the first isotope without substantially exciting elementary particles of the second isotope. An electric discharge is established in the gaseous mixture to produce preferential ionization of elementary particles of the first isotope. Electrophoresis in the discharge (either cataphoresis or the formation of a plasma sheath at the lateral extremity of the discharge) causes preferential migration of elementary particles of the first isotope to a first location and preferential migration of elementary particles of the second isotope to a second location. Portions of the gaseous mixture enriched in the first and second isotopes, respectively, are removed from the respective first and second locations.

Abstract: In an electron beam evaporation system utilizing a grid to control electron flow, non-uniformities in vapor density caused by periodic trapping of electrons near the filament due to the magnetic field produced by alternating heater current are substantially reduced either (1) by out-of-phase grid modulation which increases electron flow from the filament at times when the alternating magnetic field operates to trap electrons, (2) by using a high frequency a.c. source for heating the filament thereby to smooth out the effects of the a.c.-produced magnetic field, or (3) by using an auxiliary cathode heated by the bombardment of electrons from a filament spaced from the cathode by a distance which removes the cathode from the magnetic field produced by the a.c. heating of the filament. In one emobodiment, demodulation of vapor density is employed in laser isotope separation to provide a temporally uniform atomic uranium vapor.

Abstract: A gaseous mixture containing elementary particles (atoms or molecules) of first and second isotopes is exposed to laser radiation at a predetermined frequency to excite elementary particles of the first isotope without substantially exciting elementary particles of the second isotope. An electric discharge is established in the gaseous mixture to produce preferential ionization of elementary particles of the first isotope. Electrophoresis in the discharge (either cataphoresis or the formation of a plasma sheath at the lateral extremity of the discharge) causes preferential migration of elementary particles of the first isotope to a first location and preferential migration of elementary particles of the second isotope to a second location. Portions of the gaseous mixture enriched in the first and second isotopes, respectively, are removed from the respective first and second locations.

Abstract: Small hot particles contained in fluid stream 101 are partially vaporized by laser 46 and deflected transversely to the direction of flow out of interaction region 45 and into removal duct 65. An alternate embodiment ionizes the particles and deflects them by an electric field.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for obtaining beams of particles having a spatially modulated density, application to ion implantation and etching.For example, the invention consists of passing the particles of one beam into a long life excited state, selectively ionizing the excited particles with the aid of light having an adequate energy and spatially modulated intensity directed onto the excited particles, and separating the ionized particles from the particles which have remained excited, so as to obtain a beam of excited particles and a beam of ionized particles having a spatially modulated density.

Abstract: A laser activated mass spectrometer having a sample holder for holding a given component to be investigated, a laser source for producing a laser beam to evaporate the given component and a vacuum chamber in which the evaporated component is analyzed, has the sample holder and the given component mounted outside the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer under atmospheric pressure or in an inert gas atmosphere. The sample holder comprises a polymer carrier film for depositing the component thereon with the carrier film forming part of a wall of the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. The laser beam is directed onto the deposited component for evaporating the given component and simultaneously forming a hole in the carrier film through which the given component is transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer simultaneously with evaporation.

Abstract: Isotope enrichment, particularly .sup.235 U enrichment, is achieved by irradiating an isotopically mixed vapor feed with radiant energy at a wavelength or wavelengths chosen to selectively excite the species containing a desired isotope to a predetermined energy level. The vapor feed if simultaneously reacted with an atomic or molecular reactant species capable of preferentially transforming the excited species into an ionic product by a chemiionization reaction. The ionic product, enriched in the desired isotope, is electrostatically or electromagnetically extracted from the reaction system.

Abstract: The laser-triggered high voltage rail gap switch includes two parallel electrodes in a high pressure environment of SF.sub.6 and Ar. A pulsed UV laser directs a coherent beam parallel to the electrodes to initiate multichannel breakdown in the gap between the electrodes. This breakdown is enhanced by including an organic additive such as fluorobenzene or tri-n-propylamine in the gas mixture.

Abstract: An ionization source is disclosed for use with mass spectrometers and electron capture species detectors having an ionization light source excited so as to illuminate a fluid sample which flows past the light source whereby electrons are photoelectrically generated by a light source. Means are also provided to accelerate the photoelectrons and to extract heavy ions generated by the accelerated photoelectrons from the fluid sample. Further means are provided to focus the extracted heavy ions so that they may be detected. Also included is a means to maintain a vacuum between the light source and the sample and the detector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for centrifugally separating substances of different atomic weights. The substances to be separated are positioned in an evacuated vessel which has a longitudinal axis. A magnetic field is generated in the vessel parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel and a target comprised of the substances to be separated is positioned within the vessel at one end thereof. A collector is positioned at the other end of the vessel. Pulsed laser energy is focused on the substances to be separated thereby fully ionizing at least a portion of the substances and forming a plasma therefrom. Immediately following the focusing of the laser energy, a current is passed through the substances to be separated which causes further full ionization of the substances and thereby the formation of additional plasma. The ionized plasma is rotated and moved from the substances which are to be separated to a collector by the application of the magnetic field.

Abstract: There is provided a photoionizer which includes a light source comprising a hollow torus, an ultraviolet transmitting window substantially surrounding a passage through the torus, a gas filling within the torus, and means for creating an electrical discharge within said torus. The photoionizer further includes an electrode means within said passage through said torus for collecting, or extracting, the ions produced by the said light source striking a gas within said passage, means for passing a preselected gas sample through said passage containing said electrode means, and means connected to said electrode means for measuring the ions collected by said electrode means resulting from the interaction between said light source and said gas sample or extracting means able to project a beam of ions from the ionization region or from an ion image outside the ionization region. Means are also provided for either intercepting or measuring surface currents.

Abstract: A method for separating isotopes of a compound having molecules in the gaseous state which comprises exciting the gas with laser radiation having a frequency capable of exciting a selected isotope thereof, interacting the excited gas with electrons having an energy sufficient to form position ions therein and separating the ionized molecules from the other molecules in the gas.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for the quantitative analysis of a specific specie within a sample. The analysis has sufficient sensitivity for the detection of as little as one atom of the desired species. The method is accomplished by bombarding a sample with a highly focused charged particle beam; for example, a beam of positive argon ions having an energy from five to thirty kilovolts and a current of one milliampere or greater. This beam impinging upon the sample creates a cloud including secondary ions and neutral particles of the constituents of the sample. The cloud is irradiated with a laser beam having selected wavelengths therein for the unique ionization of the desired specie by means of resonance ionization spectroscopy (RIS). In most applications some energy and/or mass discrimination is required. The energy discrimination can be accomplished by passing the RIS ions through an energy filter, with the ions emanating therefrom having a narrow range of energy.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon-13 using CF.sub.2 HCl as the feedstock (substrate) material in which the CF.sub.2 HCl is enriched up to a first level of C-13 by I.R. laser photodissociation and then to 90-99% C-13 by a second exchange process. In the preferred arrangement the second stage is a chemical exchange process.

Abstract: A process for determining molecular spectra in unseparated mixtures, in particular unseparated isotopic mixtures, which comprises allowing said mixture to successively flow through a photoreactor which is irradiated by an adjustable-wavelength laser and then through a mass spectrometer wherein the concentration of particles of specified mass is determined by variation of the wavelength of the laser or variation of the mass setting of the mass spectrometer in such a manner that a two-dimensional spectrum results having the parameters of wavelength and mass.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for isotopically selective multi-step photoionization in which the final or ionizing step is tuned to produce a specific transition to an excited state above ionization for which the ionization cross-section is substantially greater than for ionization transitions in general. The autoionization transition to an ionized state is typically made from a highly excited bound state which is reached in one or two isotopically selective energy jumps from the ground state or other low-lying levels. The isotope shift for the ionization transition is typically small compared to the bandwidth of the ionization transition and relatively broad band photoionization radiation covering the entire absorption line can be employed. Broad band radiation is more economic and is preferable for use wherever possible. A technique is also shown for identifying the ionization transitions of augmented cross-section.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a detection system for the detection of gaseous or vaporous ionizable chemical species entrained in air as a carrier gas. The system includes a gas chromatograph column for separating the chemical species to be detected and a photoionization detector designed for use with air as the carrier gas.

Abstract: The laser-triggered high voltage rail gap switch includes two parallel electrodes in a high pressure environment of SF.sub.6 and Ar. A pulsed UV laser directs a coherent beam parallel to the electrodes to initiate multichannel breakdown in the gap between the electrodes. This breakdown occurs at a fixed time delay after the laser pulse. This breakdown is enhanced by including an organic additive such as fluorobenzene or tri-n-propylamine in the gas mixture.

Abstract: This application discloses a method for and an apparatus in which isotopes of an element in a compound are separated from each other while that compound, i.e., including a mixture of such isotopes, flows along a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a flow tube having a beginning and an end. The mixture of isotopes is introduced into the flow tube at a first introduction point between the beginning and the end thereof to flow the mixture toward the end thereof. A laser irradiates the flow tube dissociating compounds of a preselected one of said isotopes thereby converting the mixture in an isotopically selective manner. The dissociation products are removed from the tube at a first removal point between the first introduction point and the end. The dissociation product removed at the first removal point are reconverted back into the compound thereby providing a first stage enriched compound.

Abstract: In a system for isotope enrichment, a method and apparatus for separating atoms of one isotope type from an environment containing plural isotope types. Tunable lasers or laser systems are used to selectively pump atoms of the desired isotope to a metastable excited state several eV above the isotope atom ground state. A reduced ionization energy is then supplied to atoms of the metastable isotopes taking advantage of the longer lifetimes achieved. The resulting plasma created by ionizing atoms of the isotope in the metastable state is subjected to electromagnetic fields to separate atoms of the desired isotope.

Abstract: A system is provided for analyzing the particles in aerosols, as in making air pollution studies, which enables the making of rapid chemical analyses of particles. The system includes an apparatus for producing a controlled stream of individual particles to be analyzed from an environment, and an apparatus for vaporizing and ionizing the particles while they move in free flight, for analysis by a mass spectrometer. The apparatus for producing a stream of particles includes a capillary tube through which the air with suspended particles moves, a skimmer device having a small opening spaced from an end of the capillary tube to receive particles passing through the tube, and a vacuum pump for pumping air out of the space between the tube and skimmer. The vacuum pump serves to remove much of the gas from around the particles, while also creating an inflow of air and particles through the capillary tube.

Abstract: There is provided a photoionizer which includes a light source comprising a hollow torus, an ultraviolet transmitting window substantially surrounding a passage through the torus, a gas filling within the torus, and means for creating an electrical discharge within said torus. The photoionizer further includes an electrode means within said passage through said torus for collecting, or extracting, the ions produced by the said light source striking a gas within said passage, means for passing a preselected gas sample through said passage containing said electrode means, and means connected to said electrode means for measuring the ions collected by said electrode means resulting from the interaction between said light source and said gas sample or extracting means able to project a beam of ions from the ionization region or from an ion image outside the ionization region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating isotopes from a gas mixture, of once ionized uranium the isotopes being separated by the combined effect of photon irradiation by laser light followed by Penning ionization of ions selectively excited by the laser light.According to the invention a gas of once ionized uranium isotopes is irradiated with laser light made up of photons having an energy which resonates with an excitation level of an isotope of the gas mixture. Metastable atoms or molecules are simultaneously introduced into the mixture and have an excitation energy which is less than the energy for a further ionization of the constituents of the mixture and greater than the energy gap between the energy for a further ionization of the isotope excited by the laser light and the energy of the excitation level of the same isotope.

Abstract: A method for studying a fluid by forming a stream of the fluid, exciting the stream by causing a laser beam to impinge thereon to produce secondary particles or quanta, and subjecting the resulting secondary particles or quanta to an analysis operation in an analyzer.

Abstract: A process for forming an electrically conductive film by exposing to actinic radiation a coating that contains a nonionic electron donating compound and a halogen-substituted polymer having film-forming properties on a substrate, thereby forming a charge transfer complex in said halogen-substituted polymer in said coating.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inducing isotopically selective photoexcitation of atoms in at least first and second energy steps. The total energy change accomplished by the two energy steps is provided with isotopic selectivity at precise resonance for the two steps. In an isotope separation system in which an environment of particles of plural isotope types is created, isotopically selective photoexcitation from laser radiation is shown to produce a great improvement in excitation efficiency where the radiation is controlled in the aggregate of plural photons to achieve precise resonance over the plurality of the degenerate energy steps. Even with multimode excitation, precise resonance is only achieved for isolated atoms, and a chirp or frequency sweep is applied to one of several excitation frequencies to insure precise resonance at least once for each atom.

Abstract: Isotope separation, particularly separation of isotopes of lithium, is achieved by exposing a beam of atoms to radiation that selectively excites atoms of a particular isotope without exciting atoms of other isotopes of that element. The excited atoms are ionized by solar radiation and the ions attracted to an ion collector plate maintained at a negative potential. The atoms not ionized are condensed on a grounded atom collector plate. Optionally, the solar radiation not absorbed by the system may be used to generate electricity. Lithium isotopes are useful in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation of one isotope from a mixture of isotopes, which comprises selectively exciting the desired isotope to an energy level at a distance dE below the ionization continuum by means of laser irradiation, said level dE being at such a distance beneath the ionization continuum that the excited atoms at this level can be ionized by irradiation with an infrared laser, irradiating the excited atoms with an infrared laser so as to ionize them selectively, and separating the ionized atoms by deposition on a desired substrate. According to a modification of the process the desired isotope is excited in two or more steps of laser irradiation to an energy level above the ionization level, the excited atoms are permitted to decay by autoionization so as to form ions of the desired isotope, and these are collected.

Abstract: This application discloses a method of separating the isotopes of an element which form a volatile compound having an isotopically shifted but overlapping infrared absorption spectrum. In the method, IR radiation of first and second laser frequencies are employed. The first infrared laser frequency produces a selective excitation of the desired isotope of the compound, while the second infrared laser frequency produces a higher multiphoton excitation which allows conversion of the excited compound.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating isotopes in an isotopic mixture. Photo-excitation of selected isotopic species is utilized in conjunction with various processes including reaction of the excited species with positive ions of predetermined ionization energy, other excited species or free electrons. The products of the reactions include forms of the selected isotopic species which are different than their form prior to excitation, including different mass, charge or chemical make-up. The selected species is then separated from the balance of the reaction products. Ions and electrons are produced by an electrical discharge, and separation is achieved through radial ambipolar diffusion, electrostatic or magnetohydrodynamic techniques.

Abstract: Organic substances, particularly those derived from a chromatograph, are analyzed by subjecting such a substance to laser radiation to produce negative ions of the substance, and by subjecting those negative ions to mass spectrometry, preferably time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A transit time mass spectrometer for analyzing ions having different energies, particularly ions emitted under the influence of radiation, especially laser radiation. The mass spectrometer is provided with a device forming a drift path having input and output ends and adapted to be traversed by the ions in a predetermined direction, with an ion detector which is located downstream of the output end of the drift path, and with a lens arrangement, as, for example, as electrostatic or magnetic lens system for focussing as well as for accelerating the ions. The lens system has at least two sections at least one of which is upstream of the input end.

Abstract: An atomic beam is excited by laser radiation to a state with large principal quantum number. The beam is irradiated with infrared or millimeter wave radiation which is to be detected. The atoms absorb the radiation by making transitions to higher-lying states. The transitions are sensed by applying an electric field which ionizes atoms in the final state, but not the initial state. The ions ae collected and detected by conventional pulse-counting or direct current methods.

Abstract: A mirror for reflecting the high power radiation of laser beams while maintaining the predetermined shape of the reflecting surface. Radiation is reflected by a front, typically dielectric, surface on a transparent substrate. Since some power is unavoidably absorbed at the reflecting surface, the mirror will experience a thermal expansion. Some incident radiation is also transmitted to the opposite side of the substrate where at least a portion of the transmitted radiation is absorbed to a degree preselected to provide thermal expansion of that opposite side complementary to the expansion of the reflecting surface. The two expansions can be adjusted such that the shape of the reflecting surface is affected far less by the incident radiation than in the case where no opposite side absorption is provided.

Abstract: The ion separation electrodes in isotope separation apparatus are provided with removable collection shields to collect neutral particles which would normally pass through the ionization region. A preferred collection shield comprises a U-shaped section for clipping onto the leading edge of an electrode and a pair of flanges projecting substantially perpendicular to the clipping section for collecting neutral particles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separation of an isotope substance from a mixture of isotope substances such as UF.sub.6 by adiabatically decompressing the mixture in vaporous or gaseous form to cool the mixture to a temperature below 100.degree. K. and irradiating by an electromagnetic wave selectively absorbed by an isotope substance, passing the mixture after cooling and irradiating in a diffuser at a velocity greater than the speed of sound and decelerating to convert the velocity into pressure with reduced velocity of the mixture. The higher pressure results in substantial reduction in operating costs and capital investment.

Abstract: An infrared laser system and method for isotope separation may comprise a molecular gas laser oscillator to produce a laser beam at a first wavelength, Raman spin flip means for shifting the laser to a second wavelength, a molecular gas laser amplifier to amplify said second wavelength laser beam to high power, and optical means for directing the second wavelength, high power laser beam against a desired isotope for selective excitation thereof in a mixture with other isotopes. The optical means may include a medium which shifts the second wavelength high power laser beam to a third wavelength, high power laser beam at a wavelength coincidental with a corresponding vibrational state of said isotope and which is different from vibrational states of other isotopes in the gas mixture.

Abstract: A readily disposable and replaceable accelerator grating for a relativistic particle accelerator. The grating is formed for a plurality of liquid droplets that are directed in precisely positioned jet streams to periodically dispose rows of droplets along the borders of a predetermined particle beam path. A plurality of lasers are used to direct laser beams into the droplets, at predetermined angles, thereby to excite the droplets to support electromagnetic accelerating resonances on their surfaces. Those resonances operate to accelerate and focus particles moving along the beam path. As the droplets are distorted or destroyed by the incoming radiation, they are replaced at a predetermined frequency by other droplets supplied through the jet streams.