Isotope selective three-step photoionization of 177Lu

Abstract

A 540-535-618 three-step photoionization scheme has been theoretically investigated for the laser isotope separation of 177 L u through density matrix formalism. Equations of motion for the three-step photoionization of odd isotopes have been derived. The effects of Doppler broadening, bandwidth and peak power density of excitation lasers, number density of atoms on the degree of enrichment of 177 L u and production rate have been studied. Optimum conditions for the laser isotope separation of 177 L u for the cases of initial abundances corresponding to the irradiation of natural Lu in low, medium, and high flux reactors have been derived. Under optimum conditions, the production rates of 177 L u in ranges of 0.87, 14.5, and 92.5 mg/h can be achieved with degrees of enrichment of 66%, 97%, and 100%, respectively, for the cases of initial abundances corresponding to the irradiation of natural Lu in low, medium, and high flux reactors. It has also been shown that the content of 177 m L u in the enriched isotope mixture will be in the range of 10 − 2 % to 10 − 4 % . This provides a comprehensive solution to the application of 177 L u for cancer therapy.