Hydrogen isotope separation by multiple photodissociation of dichlorofluoromethane

Abstract

Multiple photodissociation rates of dichlorofluoromethane were measured from the dissociated products and/or the residual gases which escaped dissociation. The relationship between the separation factor for the hydrogen isotopes in the residual gases and that in the products is in good agreement with theory. Hydrogen isotope separation is influenced by the chlorine isotopes contained in the molecules. The experimental data obtained are compared with the theoretical dissociation model including two sets of kinetic equations in which energy exchanges between two kinds of isotopic molecules are considered. This gives the authors a good explanation for the dependence of the dissociation rate on the laser intensity and pressure, and the pressure dependence of the separation factor.