Laser isotope separation of 203Tl through pulsed laser optical pumping

Abstract

Isotope separation of 203Tl through pulsed laser optical pumping into the 6s26p2P3/2∘ meta-stable state, followed by pulsed laser ionization, has been theoretically studied through density matrix formalism. The efficiency of the isotope separation process has been compared with the cw laser optical pumping followed by pulsed laser photoionization reported earlier. The effect of peak power density, bandwidth and number density of atoms on the degree of enrichment and the production rate has been systematically studied. The optimum parameters for the efficient laser isotope separation 203Tl have been derived. It has been shown that using this method, it is possible to produce about 1.5 kg/y of 203Tl isotope enriched to 90%.